8/8/08
At rural locations sprinkled throughout our county and in reality, throughout our nation, there are neglected and forgotten graveyards. These sites are usually at a place where a stately family home with a family burial plot existed. Having family cemeteries was a common practice in the days before flowered memory gardens and commercial cemeteries became a business. Many other forgotten cemeteries wither away at locations where community churches once stood.
The tragic part of this situation is those hundreds of now forgotten people who were buried at these neglected and ignored grave yards. Statesmen, judges, valiant soldiers, devoted mothers and fathers, outstanding citizens, and forefathers of us all….their markers fallen over and their graves cracked and burrowed, they wait for rediscovery. They all were born, loved, prayed, worked, shared, and contributed to their world and their families during their lifetimes.
After the passage of 150 years or so, and six or seven subsequent generations have walked this earth behind us, who will remember you or me? For most of us, the only enduring memorial of our time on this earth is our grave marker. When that is lost or destroyed, we are truly a forgotten part of history. To casually allow that to happen is very sad and very inappropriate.
One such cemetery, called the Hays Cemetery, is located about six miles north of Marianna at the intersection of Old U.S. Road and Farm Road. Through the years this aging and remote graveyard had become overgrown with brush, briars and young trees. As the surrounding properties were sold and resold through the years, the deeding of the site became unclear. The latest family to purchase the land surrounding this site was Mr. and Mrs. Bill Bigham. As part of the filing of the deed, they engaged Buddy Bannerman of Bannerman Surveyors to survey the boundaries as required by law.
Mr. Bannerman had a special interest in this project, since one of the graves in the old graveyard was the grave site of his great, great grandfather, John B. Anderson and his great grandmother, Dicy A. Anderson. Local retired businessman Kenneth Anderson is also related to them. Retired Farm Bureau executive, Ed Revell is another relative of the occupants of this old graveyard.
The new owners, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Bigham graciously deeded the graveyard to the Hays Cemetery Association, and assisted them in clearing and landscaping the area. Last week, at the Oaks Restaurant in Marianna, the cemetery group met with the Bighams and presented them with a plaque expressing their gratitude for the kind acts of respect for their forefathers the property owners had demonstrated through their kind act of clearing the deed for the graveyard.
As a result of the article we ran in the Jackson County Times on July 10 telling of the efforts of the local unit of the Sons of Confederate Veterans to locate and identify graves of confederate veterans in Jackson County, the Hayes Cemetery Association and the Confederate Veterans group made contact. Subsequent investigation resulted in the discovery of the graves of seven Confederate Veterans within the Hays Cemetery. These graves are now part of the registry and will be appropriately marked.
Graves that are now surveyed, identified, and marked in this once forgotten graveyard are:
E.A. Robinson 1779-1881, Carrie Robinson 1833-1879, Annie Robinson 1844-1878, Elizabeth Robinson 1799-1872, Henry Robinson 1840-1866, Nannie Lewis 1874-1964, Edward Lewis 1873-1952, Judge Amos Lewis 1876 – 1954, Lula Hays Wakefield 1859-1941, Benjamin Glover (unknown dates), Caladonia Hays Lewis 1850-1921, W.A. Lewis 1870-1915, O.W. Wakefield 1861-1903, M.M. Hays 1830-1913, Amos Hays 1822-1885, Florence Hays 1863-1865, Henry Clay Lewis 1842-1878, Henry Hays Lewis 1868-1935, Edna Bivings Lewis 1913-1915, Martha Estelle Lewis 1906-1909, Amos Mallory Lewis 1908-1909, Mary Allen Lewis 1900-1902, Mary Maud Lewis Pierce 1875-1897, Hallie Lewis (unknown), Virginia Blanche Powell 1860-1886, Alexander Hays 1857-1920, M.N. Dickson 1841-1896, Henry Garrett 1830-1867, John B. Anderson 1830-1886, Ella Nora Bowls Anderson 1853-1875, Dicy Anderson 1832-1872, Frank Knowles (1883-1883), Emma Knowles (1884-1887), Fannie Knowles (1883-1887), Francis Marian Knowles (1847-1903), Mary Cox Knowles (1855-1932), Robert Knowles (1888-1906).
Of the above listing, Confederate Veterans buried in this cemetery include E.A. Robinson, Henry Robinson, Benjamin Glover, M.N. Dickson, Henry Garrett, and John B. Anderson and Francis Knowles.
This historic graveyard is now refurbished and is in a condition befitting the remains of those fine souls that reside there. In order to assure the site continues to be well maintained, descendents of the Lewis and Hays families have made financial contributions to a maintenance fund.
This entire project, the work accomplished, the relationships established, and the forgotten souls now recalled, are all wonderful examples of the enduring goodness in man. We at the Jackson County Times congratulate them all.
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Friday, August 8, 2008
East Shore Park On Merritt’s Mill Pond May Open
By: Sid Riley
8/8/08
Have you ever heard of a park named East Shore Recreational Park located in Jackson County on the East shore of Merritt’s Mill Pond? Well it seems that in 1996 the State used grant funds to purchase a 42 acre parcel on the east shore of the Mill Pond, which abuts the northern boundary of the Indian Springs Subdivision. This parcel was deeded to Jackson County for the purpose of creation of a park area.
Chuck Hatcher, Jackson County Director of Parks and Recycling, received a letter in June from the State Department of Community Affairs informing him that they had performed a site inspection and found no park development action had been initiated as approved in the original plans. They requested a new plan and timetable of implementation for the creation of this park be prepared and submitted to them.
In response to this requirement, Chuck Hatcher issued a notice of a public meeting for the purpose of discussing this park construction requirement with concerned citizens and property owners. As a result, over seventy five concerned Indian Springs residents and property owners met with Mr. Hatcher at the Citizen’s Lodge on Tuesday evening.
The group arrived with a decidedly negative bias towards the proposed park. They feared the increased public traffic flow through their area, increased security concerns, and general public presence would result in significant negatives for their neighborhood. Hatcher respectfully asked that they allow him to present the situation and planned actions to them before public discussion began.
He explained the history of the land purchase and the recent letter from the State officials. He then laid out a plan of action he was proposing to the Commissioners that he felt would work to the best interest of everyone involved. First, he told the crowd they were going to clean up the underbrush and create primitive nature walking trails through the area. Only a small gravel parking lot would be built instead of the large bus accommodating lot that was in the original blueprints from 1996.
The concept is to only use county funds, which he feels will be around $1,000, to clear the area and create the trails. This will provide a better kept and managed area for this property which is next to the subdivision, and will provide nature trails that can be enjoyed by the residents of the area. Since no State funds will be used, if the county decides to close the area or use it for some other approved purpose, there will be no state approvals required. If they use State grants to create the park, a twenty five year operating obligation will also be created.
After the concept was fully reviewed and discussed, the mood and opinions of those in attendance shifted to a much more positive response. A vote was taken and almost everyone in attendance voted approval for proceeding with the planned approach.
Thus, it appears a new nature park for Jackson County at the Mill Pond is on the horizon.
8/8/08
Have you ever heard of a park named East Shore Recreational Park located in Jackson County on the East shore of Merritt’s Mill Pond? Well it seems that in 1996 the State used grant funds to purchase a 42 acre parcel on the east shore of the Mill Pond, which abuts the northern boundary of the Indian Springs Subdivision. This parcel was deeded to Jackson County for the purpose of creation of a park area.
Chuck Hatcher, Jackson County Director of Parks and Recycling, received a letter in June from the State Department of Community Affairs informing him that they had performed a site inspection and found no park development action had been initiated as approved in the original plans. They requested a new plan and timetable of implementation for the creation of this park be prepared and submitted to them.
In response to this requirement, Chuck Hatcher issued a notice of a public meeting for the purpose of discussing this park construction requirement with concerned citizens and property owners. As a result, over seventy five concerned Indian Springs residents and property owners met with Mr. Hatcher at the Citizen’s Lodge on Tuesday evening.
The group arrived with a decidedly negative bias towards the proposed park. They feared the increased public traffic flow through their area, increased security concerns, and general public presence would result in significant negatives for their neighborhood. Hatcher respectfully asked that they allow him to present the situation and planned actions to them before public discussion began.
He explained the history of the land purchase and the recent letter from the State officials. He then laid out a plan of action he was proposing to the Commissioners that he felt would work to the best interest of everyone involved. First, he told the crowd they were going to clean up the underbrush and create primitive nature walking trails through the area. Only a small gravel parking lot would be built instead of the large bus accommodating lot that was in the original blueprints from 1996.
The concept is to only use county funds, which he feels will be around $1,000, to clear the area and create the trails. This will provide a better kept and managed area for this property which is next to the subdivision, and will provide nature trails that can be enjoyed by the residents of the area. Since no State funds will be used, if the county decides to close the area or use it for some other approved purpose, there will be no state approvals required. If they use State grants to create the park, a twenty five year operating obligation will also be created.
After the concept was fully reviewed and discussed, the mood and opinions of those in attendance shifted to a much more positive response. A vote was taken and almost everyone in attendance voted approval for proceeding with the planned approach.
Thus, it appears a new nature park for Jackson County at the Mill Pond is on the horizon.
It Is Decision Time
By: Sid Riley
8/8/08
Election day is speeding towards us. The Democratic and Republican Primaries voting will be held on August 26, absentee ballots are already being mailed into the Supervisor of Elections, and early voting will begin Monday, August 11…….decision time is upon us.
Before you make these important decisions, and execute your right as a citizen, you have an opportunity to really evaluate the large slate of candidates by attending one or more of the political forums that are scheduled. These forums present the candidates in a question and answer format that will help you understand their personalities, opinions and philosophies.
A series of three forums is being sponsored by the Jackson County Democratic Party, the Jackson County Republican Party, Chipola Television CCTV -4 , and the Jackson County Times. The first of these forums is scheduled for this Thursday evening, August 7 in Graceville at the Civic Center, beginning at 6:30 PM. The second forum will be held on Thursday, August 12 at the Sneads High School auditorium, and the final forum will be at the new Marianna High School auditorium on Thursday, August 21. The full slate of candidates will take part in these three forums.
Other forums include another event which will be held at the Victory Academy in Sneads on the River Road, Friday, August 8 at 6:00. This program will only involve candidates for the position of Superintendent of Schools and is being hosted by "Pirate Patriots", a school support group. On Monday, August 11 Farm Bureau is presenting a forum in Bonifay at the Holmes County Ag. Center at 6:00. This event only involves the three candidates for District 5 State Representative.
We at the Jackson County Times encourage all citizens to take time to participate in these important events. Then exercise your right to vote on August 26.
8/8/08
Election day is speeding towards us. The Democratic and Republican Primaries voting will be held on August 26, absentee ballots are already being mailed into the Supervisor of Elections, and early voting will begin Monday, August 11…….decision time is upon us.
Before you make these important decisions, and execute your right as a citizen, you have an opportunity to really evaluate the large slate of candidates by attending one or more of the political forums that are scheduled. These forums present the candidates in a question and answer format that will help you understand their personalities, opinions and philosophies.
A series of three forums is being sponsored by the Jackson County Democratic Party, the Jackson County Republican Party, Chipola Television CCTV -4 , and the Jackson County Times. The first of these forums is scheduled for this Thursday evening, August 7 in Graceville at the Civic Center, beginning at 6:30 PM. The second forum will be held on Thursday, August 12 at the Sneads High School auditorium, and the final forum will be at the new Marianna High School auditorium on Thursday, August 21. The full slate of candidates will take part in these three forums.
Other forums include another event which will be held at the Victory Academy in Sneads on the River Road, Friday, August 8 at 6:00. This program will only involve candidates for the position of Superintendent of Schools and is being hosted by "Pirate Patriots", a school support group. On Monday, August 11 Farm Bureau is presenting a forum in Bonifay at the Holmes County Ag. Center at 6:00. This event only involves the three candidates for District 5 State Representative.
We at the Jackson County Times encourage all citizens to take time to participate in these important events. Then exercise your right to vote on August 26.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Book "Two Egg, Florida" Now Available in Hardcover Edition
In response to requests for hardcover copies of Dale Cox's popular book Two Egg, Florida: A Collection of Ghost Stories, Legends and Unusual Facts, the printers of the book have now made it available in a hardcover edition.
The hardcover editions are available only through online purchase and cost $25 plus shipping and handling.
The book, published internationally in 2007, features the unique story of Jackson County's community of Two Egg, as well as the true history behind the Bellamy Bridge Ghost Legend and a collection of other unique stories from throughout the area.
Remembering the Flood of 1947
One of the greatest tragedies in American history took place in the year 1947 when a combination of tropical weather systems and unusual weather in the Midwest generated floods that ravaged eight states, including Florida.Jackson County was hit hard by flooding as the Apalachicola/Chattahoochee and Chipola Rivers poured out of their banks, flooding roads, homes and fields.
These photographs were submitted by former Jackson County Clerk of Courts Daun Crews.
Jackson County Receives International Military Attention
Foreign Military Officers Tour County, Visit Attractions and Learn HistoryBy Times Staff
Marianna – One of the more intriguing events in recent memory took place in Jackson County on Saturday as a group of 60 military officers from the United States as well as Central and South America toured key points in the county as part of the U.S. Army’s “Strength through Allies” initiative.
The officers, many accompanied by family members, arrived by bus from Fort Rucker on Saturday morning for a visit to Florida Caverns State Park. After touring the famed caves, they continued on to Marianna for a requested tour of Marianna’s Civil War battlefield.
Marianna’s Civil War history has received growing attention following last year’s international publication of writer and historian Dale Cox’s popular book, The Battle of Marianna, Florida. The book and its related websites have had the unexpected benefit of sparking additional tourism to Jackson County, bringing visitors and tourism dollars to the area. Saturday’s visit was the largest organized tour of the battlefield so far.
The tour began at the intersection of Lafayette and Russ Streets in Marianna, where the battle started on September 27, 1864. Following introductory comments by Stan Peacock, a state official with the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV), historian Dale Cox took the officers on a walking tour of key points of the battlefield. Speaking to the group, largely composed of Spanish speaking officers from Central and South America, through interpreters, Cox explained the tactics of the battle and shared many of the colorful stories included in his book.
His comments focused on the actual events of the battle, on its impact on the community and Florida as a whole, on the often overlooked significance of the Battle of Marianna as a day of liberation for more than 600 enslaved African Americans in Jackson County and on the racial diversity of the troops fighting at Marianna. A highlight was when he described how a Union officer was later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions in preventing the intentional shootings of prisoners on the grounds of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.
Following the tour, Stan Peacock presented a well-received display of both Union and Confederate equipment. The interactive presentation featured demonstrations of various weapons and other items and a lively question and answer period. Peacock and Cox then took the visitors on a guided tour of the cemetery at St. Luke’s, explaining the historical importance of many of the individuals buried there. Members of the Theophilus West Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, accompanied by their family members, wore 19th century uniforms and assisted in the interpretive effort.
The tour was conceived by officials at Fort Rucker, Alabama, as a way of introducing international students there to the area and helping them to gain a better understanding of the history and culture of the United States. There are early indications, based on its success, that the tour may now become an annual event.
It also is a sign of the growing popularity of Jackson County as a spot for tourism and the growing interest in the Battle of Marianna as a significant event.
Editor's Note: To learn more about the Battle of Marianna, please visit www.battleofmarianna.net. Dale Cox's book on the battle is available locally at Chipola River Book and Tea in Downtown Marianna.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
4th Annual Sunday Afternoon with the Arts Exhibit Guidelines Released
7/31/08
Exhibit Guidelines and entry forms for the regional art exhibit at Chipola Arts Center , Sunday Afternoon with the Arts", are being mailed to artists, announced, Nancy Zurenda, event Chairperson. Artists can access the entry form and guidelines on the Chipola College website as well.
In its fourth year, the exhibit’s Opening Reception is scheduled for November 2 from 1 to 5 PM. It is open to all artists 18 years or older who either work or live in the 5 county area served by Chipola College including Jackson, Washington, Holmes, Calhoun and Liberty Counties. Artists may exhibit three pieces of original art in any medium. There is no entry fee for artists. Artists of all levels and abilities are encouraged to participate.
In addition to the opening reception, this year’s exhibit will be open through November 13 and will feature an open to the public Gallery Walk and meeting of The Artists Guild of Northwest Florida on November 8.
As in the past the opening reception is free to the public and will feature Art demonstrations and hands-on art educational experiences for adults and children. It is designed to be a fun filled afternoon for the entire family and offer families a local event they can enjoy without driving long distances.
For more information artists can call Nancy Zurenda at 526-5977.This year’s exhibit is sponsored by the Chipola Regional Arts Association in partnership with The Artists Guild of Northwest Florida. Deadline for entry is October 4.
Exhibit Guidelines and entry forms for the regional art exhibit at Chipola Arts Center , Sunday Afternoon with the Arts", are being mailed to artists, announced, Nancy Zurenda, event Chairperson. Artists can access the entry form and guidelines on the Chipola College website as well.
In its fourth year, the exhibit’s Opening Reception is scheduled for November 2 from 1 to 5 PM. It is open to all artists 18 years or older who either work or live in the 5 county area served by Chipola College including Jackson, Washington, Holmes, Calhoun and Liberty Counties. Artists may exhibit three pieces of original art in any medium. There is no entry fee for artists. Artists of all levels and abilities are encouraged to participate.
In addition to the opening reception, this year’s exhibit will be open through November 13 and will feature an open to the public Gallery Walk and meeting of The Artists Guild of Northwest Florida on November 8.
As in the past the opening reception is free to the public and will feature Art demonstrations and hands-on art educational experiences for adults and children. It is designed to be a fun filled afternoon for the entire family and offer families a local event they can enjoy without driving long distances.
For more information artists can call Nancy Zurenda at 526-5977.This year’s exhibit is sponsored by the Chipola Regional Arts Association in partnership with The Artists Guild of Northwest Florida. Deadline for entry is October 4.
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