Tag Archives: Collection of Brian Brown

Tom Darby & Jimmie Tarlton’s “Columbus Stockade Blues”

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Tom Darby (l) & Jimmie Tarlton. Real Photo Promotional Postcard, 1927. Collection of Brian Brown.

This postcard came into my possession through the estate of a cousin, who was a great niece of Tom Darby. Largely forgotten today, Thomas P. (Tom) Darby [1892-1971] and James J. (Jimmie) Tarlton [1892-1979] were considered not only legendary bluesmen but pioneers of country music as well. They’ve been called the first country musicians to employ the steel guitar. Their most famous work, “Columbus Stockade Blues”, has been covered by artists ranging from Doc Watson and Willie Nelson to Bill Monroe, Jimmie Davis, and Bob Dylan. When they made the recording for Columbia in Atlanta in November 1927 Tom Darby pressed for a flat payment of $150 but Jimmie Tarlton wanted royalties. The song took off and sold over 200,000 copies in a short time and though the duo recorded 63 more songs dating to 1933, hostilities over lost royalties finally drove them apart. They reunited in 1965 for a symphony appearance in Columbus but no further collaborative recordings were made. Tarlton, always considered the standout of the duo, did make solo recordings in the 1960s. Search Amazon for compilations, which are available and provide valuable insight into the birth of American popular music.

 

 

Remembering My Great-Grandfather, Veteran of World War I

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Burt Herman Browning Fitzgerald GA World War I Veteran NC Infantry Photograph Collection of Brian Brown Vanishing South Georgia USA 2014
Burt Herman Browning, Veteran of World War I (1892-1951), Photographed in Fitzgerald, Georgia, 1939

In honor of all those serving today and in memory of those who have gone before us, I’m sharing a photograph of my great-grandfather, Burt Herman Browning, who as a veteran of the French theater in World War I represents the sacrifice of service.  He was gassed with mustard gas and suffered shell shock in the trenches of Alsace and though he survived the war, he suffered the effects for the remainder of his life.  A native of Scotland, Georgia, he mustered into the North Carolina infantry because he was working there at the outbreak of the Great War. Upon his return he married my great-grandmother (Sadie Harrell Browning) in Eastman, and after traveling around from one South Georgia town to another they finally settled in Fitzgerald in 1929. The damage of war made it difficult for him to farm or do manual labor and he was a grocer and small store owner as long as he was able to work. Much of his life in between working was spent shuffling back and forth between Fitzgerald and the Veterans Hospital in Gulfport, Mississippi. It made my great-grandmother’s life difficult, but since the government wouldn’t do its part for veterans, then as now, she worked in various textile mills around Fitzgerald and helped provide. That’s just what people did.

I don’t have a photograph of my great-grandfather in his uniform. I’m not sure if there ever was one or if his flashbacks motivated my great-grandmother to do away with them. But I’m lucky to have his dog tags.

 

Cordele Public School Photos, Circa 1911-1912

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1B Grade-Cordele Public School, Unknown Photographer, Circa 1911

These real photo postcards, made by an itinerant traveling photographer, provide a nice portrait of South Georgia schoolchildren in the early 20th century. They were acquired through the estate of a cousin, whose husband is identified in a couple of the cards. These are important social documents as they bear witness to the early days of the concept of government-funded public schools. They were still a relatively new concept in America, especially in the rural South at this time.

2B Grade-Cordele Public School, Unknown Photographer, Circa 1912

I’m not sure why there are two different views of the second grade class; perhaps they were made in different seasons. Somewhat odd to me is that the teacher is only pictured in one of the images (below).2B Grade-Cordele Public School, Unknown Photographer, Circa 1912

Early Postcard Views of Tifton

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Tifton GA Antique Postcard Love Avenue Methodist Church Dirt Streets Collection of Brian Brown Vanishing South Georgia USA 2014
Love Avenue and Methodist Church, Circa 1907

I’ve been collecting antique postcards of South Georgia towns since I was in college, beginning in 1988.

Tifton GA Antique Postcard Class of Stump Pullers ABAC 2nd District Ag School Collection of Brian Brown Vanishing South Georgia USA 2014
Class of Stump Pullers, Second Congressional District Agricultural School [Known as ABAC today]

Most of these were not used, but they date from 1905-1925.

Tifton GA Antique Postcard Myon Hotel Collection of Brian Brown Vanishing South Georgia USA 2014
Hotel Myon, Circa 1912

I recently inherited a large collection and like to share them from time to time.

Tifton GA Early View of Downtown Business Section Antique Postcard Collection of Brian Brown Vanishing South Georgia USA 2014
Business Section

What is most apparent in these images is how much a wilderness the area still was in the early 20th century.

Tifton GA Antique Postcard Early Automobile Dirt Road Pine Trees Collection of Brian Brown Vanishing SOuth Georgia USA 2014
Through the Pines, Near Tifton

Growth and prosperity seemed to be all around, though.

TIfton GA Antique Postcard E L Vickers House Collection of Brian Brown Vanishing South Georgia USA 2014
E. L. Vickers Residence

 

South Georgia Tobacco Culture, 1955

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This rare postcard from my collection is postmarked 1955 from Lyons. I don’t know that the photograph was local to that area; it may have been a stock image sold in different parts of the South, but it’s one of my favorites.

I love what our friend Jesse Bookhardt wrote: Thanks for posting this postcard of tobacco culture. I have a card in my small collection of South Georgia farmers planting tobacco by hand in 1948 at Santa Claus, Georgia. I remember the planting events well. The whole family participated and it usually lasted all day depending upon the amount of acreage to be planted. Prior to planting in April, farmers grew their own plants in long rectangular beds that they sewed in late February or March. A hand planter that could also plant peppers or tomatoes was used. Its operation required a planter, a plant dropper, and someone to keep water available when needed. That way of life has long passed but not the memories of this old South Georgia boy.

Bowen’s Mill Court & Cafe, Circa 1955, Ben Hill County

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Bowen's Mill GA Ben Hill County Old Motor Court Cafe House Creek Real Photo Postcard Collection of Brian Brown Vanishing South Georgia USA 2014

The structures seen above are still standing and largely unchanged in appearance, but it’s been many years since they served the purpose indicated here. The sign on the Cafe reads: Specializing in KC Steaks, Chops, Seafood, Frog Legs & Channel Catfish Dinners, while the back of the card notes the presence of a swimming pool, bowling, fishing, a mineral well 673 feet in depth and a Camellia & Azalea nursery.

Today, they’re used as a school for a nearby Christian community.

Ocilla Truck Stop, Circa 1960

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Collection of Brian Brown

This postcard from my collection dates to around 1960. I regret I never photographed this place, which was demolished some time before 2006.

63rd Army Air Forces Contract Pilot School (1943), Douglas

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Airman 1st Class John Hancock, Douglas Municipal Airport, 1943. Collection of Brian Brown.

I recently inherited a large group of historic photographs, from which this treasure from World War II came to me. I do not know any personal information about the pilot seen here, Airman 1st Class John S. Hancock, except that he was a cousin of one of my cousins (Frances Trammell McCormick) and was trained by Bill Dillard.

From the World War II Flight Training Museum brochure: Originally a part of South Georgia College’s pilot training program, the 63rd Army Air Forces Contract Pilot Training School (Primary) was established in response to the urgent demand for pilots during World War II (1941-1945). The school was run during the war by the Raymond-Richardson Aviation Company, which was under the supervision of the U. S. Army Air Forces. Over 5,000 aviation cadets learned to fly their first plane here. The Stearman PT-17 biplane was the training plane used. Many cadets “washed out”, as it was tough training.

Today, many of the structures associated with the Pilot School remain at the Douglas Municipal Airport and the World War II Flight Training Museum is located in the old instructors’ barracks and open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays. Of about 55 such flight training schools open during World War II, this location is the most intact. Great job, Douglas 63rd Preservation Society and Coffee County, for recognizing its importance.

 

Fitzgerald High School Football, 1948 State Champions

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Running back Lauren Hargrove (1930-2009), whose nickname was the Phantom, became a local celebrity in Fitzgerald for his role in the 1948 State Football championship, in which the Purple Hurricane beat Decatur. In these rare photographs, he’s being presented a new automobile by Pontiac dealer Albert McCormick. In today’s world, such a gift wouldn’t be possible, but it’s amazing what hometown pride meant in those days.

Lauren was running back for the Hurricane from 1945 until graduating in 1948. In that time he was All-State, All-Southern, and Prep All-American. He also had a distinguished career for the Georgia Bulldogs from 1950-52, and was a letterman in all three seasons.

It’s amazing to think of how many car dealerships there were in Fitzgerald, or any small town, back then.

There’s even a book about the 1948 season, called Purple and Gold Boys, by C. R. Adams.

 

Crystal Lake, Irwin County: Aerial Views

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© Browne Harper

My friend Browne Harper shared these aerial images he made of Crystal Lake in 2008.

© Browne Harper

They are an amazing documentation of the disappearance of this body of water. By the time I photographed here, it was completely dry.

© Browne Harper