We have trucks, moving vans and paved roads today which makes moving from one state to another much easier. Imagine having to pack up an move all your belongings in covered wagons and on trails rather than paved roads. The task seems daunting, but this occurred, even as late as the early 1900s as revealed in this story.
MEMORIES
by
Jesse Suttles
My Dad, Audrey Lance Suttles, was born Tuesday, Sept. 13, 1904. At Cole City, Georgia, Dade County. “Cole City” was a mining camp.
It was located on the top of the Northern end of Sand Mountain. It was built very quickly with green lumber and what ever was handy. It wasn’t built to last very long. “Cole City” Dade County Georgia.
This town was incorporated in 1873. This name was a corruption of the word “coal” in reference to the Dade County Coal Company there.
During the late 1800 Dade County was very populated, an active Coal, and Iron Ore mining region.
There is very little evidence of a town ever being there now. Only some traces of the mines and some bricks used in the furnaces. Today the area has very few residents, and is mostly wooded with a few farms scattered here and there. ( I visited there about 1993)
Moved to Arkansas
After the coal mines closed. My Granddad, Joseph Monroe moved from Dade County with his family about 1908. They moved to Russellville, Arkansas, Pope County. Joseph moved his family by train.( I bet that was a long hard trip. With his small children. Even by train.) Dad said he remembered moving by train. But he had forgotten from where to where.
It took me several years to find out just where Dad was born. He didn’t know if it was in Georgia or Alabama.
I have a picture of the Rail Road bridge that crosses the Mississippi at Memphis. The bridge was built in 1906.
That was the only rail road bridge over the Mississippi for many years. So I am sure this is the bridge that Dad and his family crossed over the Mississippi. The bridge is still in use in 2011.
He worked in the coal mines
Granddad moved his family to Arkansas from Georgia in about 1908. Granddad moved to Russellville, Arkansas to work in the coal mines. There is very little trace of the mines there now. He worked in the coal mines until 1914. All of the mines are now closed. And have been closed for several years. There was a short article in the Jonesboro Sun.
A few years ago, telling about the Coal mines of Russellville, Arkansas. Before I saw the article. I didn’t know there was ever any coal mines in Russellville, Arkansas. I have often wondered why Joseph moved his family from Dade County Georgia to Pope County Arkansas. After reading the article I knew why. You never know where you might find information.
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Lived in Pope County, Arkansas
Joseph Monroe Suttles was living in Pope County, Arkansas, Illinois Township with his family in the 1910 census. While living in Pope Couny. Joseph and Rhoda Ann had three children born there. Alvie Claude and Malvie Maude They were twins. Another Son, Alton. Was born there. He died a short time after he was born.
Later Granddad moved his family to Dallas, Texas. They moved by covered wagon. It took two wagons to move his family and household furniture. Granddad had one covered wagon. And he hired a neighbor who had a covered wagon to help him move. Joseph Monroe had rented a farm just North of Dallas at Rockwall.
They had to move on to Dallas
When they got to Rockwall, the family hadn’t moved. Like they were suppose to have done. So Granddad had to move on to Dallas.
They lived there for a while. They lived on Elm Street. That was about 1914. Dad said he sold the Dallas Morning News Paper there when he was ten years old. After living in Dallas a few years. I don’t know just how long. They moved from Dallas to Swan Texas. Swan is located just north of Tyler, in Smith County. From there they moved to Memphis, Texas. I think they moved there to work on a cattle ranch.
Grand dad worked as a black-smith
Grand dad also worked as a black-smith for the ranch. I remember Dad telling me several things that happen to him while living there. From West Texas, they moved to Annona, Texas.
Dad and Mother were married the 30th of March 1929 in Avery, Texas Red River County. Avery looks about the same now (2009) as it did in 1929.
Avery, Texas City Hall
I have a picture of main Street made in 1923. The picture was made by someone standing in the middle of the street. They were facing East. A lot of cars were parked on the main street. They were all parked on one side of the street. Only the South side of the street had any buildings on it.
Avery, Texas Main Street (Jesse Suttles)
In looking at the picture. At the far end of town there you can see a large brick building. On the top of the store building you can make out the name of “Medfords.”
The store was a grocery store. They also sold a large variety of merchandise beside groceries. They sold clothes, ready made or you could buy the cloth to make clothes with. They also sold all kinds of cooking pots and pans. They sold kerosine for the kerosine lamps that a lot of people still using. They also sold seed to plant for the fields and gardens. Also they sold harness for horses and mules that was used to pull plows and wagons. In 1923 there was still a lot of wagons in use.
A few times we had to go to town via wagon
We lived just South of Avery about five miles. A few times we had to go to town via wagon. For a while Dad didn’t have a car. It took just about all day to go to Avery and buy some groceries and get back home, a long hard ride. Dad built a “ice box” from wooden planks. It was about four feet square.
Avery’s Farmers Market (Jesse Suttles)
Some time Dad would buy a block of ice and wrap it up in a quilt and bring it home. Some time he would let us make home-made ice cream. We had to make it using two buckets. Mother would put the ice-cream mix in a one gallon syrup bucket with a tight lid. Dad would put ice in a five gallon bucket. with a lot of salt. He then would put the gallon bucket in the ice and turn it back and forth. It took a while to freeze the cream. It sure was good when it was finished. Wish I had some now.
All that remains of Savannah now is a Church and Cemetery
Dad lived with his family in Annona, Texas Red River County, a very small town. Mother lived with her family in Savannah. A small community East of Annona. (All that remains of Savannah now is a Church and Cemetery. Most of Mother’s family are buried in the the Savannah Cemetery.
This photos were made before 1927. The sawmill belonged to my Grandad Levi Nicklos Dyke.” – Jesse Suttles
Her Mother, Dad, one Brother (Jim) Two sisters Ruth & Lydia). I have been to the cemetery a few times. Millie, Bernice (Tincy) and my self walked the cemetery one day. Several years ago and wrote all of the names down of all of the graves in the cemetery. All of the names are posted on the Red River County page. Along with a lot of other cemeteries in Red River County.
Check out these historical Books by author Books by Donna R. Causey
Ribbon of Love: A Novel of Colonial America (Tapestry of Love) (Volume 1)
