-Chapter IV- TOWNS, COMMUNITIES, AND MILITIA DISTRICTS (1880-1980)
Schools in Spring Place
The first school in Murray County was the Moravian Mission School. Immediately following the closing of this school, the Murray County Academy was incorporated in 1833. Original trustees were William N. Bishop, Nelson Dickerson, William Oats, James C. Barnett, and John J. Humphreys. James Morris and Charles Bonds were later added to the Board. Located near the Presbyterian Church, the school evidently suffered financial difficulties following its 1835 opening. Sheriff Bonds had to sell the property, described as being "a little piece below the public spring." in 1845. Trustee James Morris bought the lot for $25 and the money was divided among the trustees which included Alfred M. Turner, William P. Charles(?), James A.R. Hanks, and Franklin Morris, as well as the purchaser.
In 1849-50 a system of "common schools" for the county was established and a group of residents asked the legislature to incorporate the Spring Place Academy. Apparently this school was built on the same lot of land which had been designated for the earlier school. Little specific information is available about this school, but several 19th century Spring Place deeds mention the "Academy Lot" as a point of reference. The original legislative act of 1850 lists Robert McKamy. John W.A. Johnson, Gideon Gamer, John A. Tyler, James Edmondson and Francis B. Morris as trustees. The self-perpetuating Board had total control of the school.
The next detailed information about schools in Spring Place is this paragraph from the July 30, 1874 North Georgia Citizen:
Spring Place has just shaken off her literary lethargy and now demands patronage for two schools. Both seem to be in successful operation, one in the charge of Mrs. Mattie Lockaby and the other in the charge of Miss Crawford of Chattanooga.
One of these schools was the Academy, sometimes called the "Central Academy." while the other educational facility was generally referred to as the "town" school. Academy teachers included J.D. Vamell (1885), ___ Pricks (1893), W.A. Gladden (1894-97), Hattie Poag, and Nettie Gladden (1899-1900).
The location of the town school evidently changed at various times. For a time classes were held in the old jail located between Elm and Pendley Streets-Kate Keister went to school there. In the early 1890's "Professors" Stousberry, Bates, and Harper taught in the old Baptist Church and on other occasions students met in the Methodist building. In 1896 Mollie Glass (Brown) taught in the Hull Kerr store building, directly north of the courthouse. Teachers at the town school included J.F. Harris (whose school was "flourishing" in 1881), A.B. Smith and Lela Wilson (1884), D.C. Trirnmier (1891), Aggie Ramsey (1891-92), J.B. Terry (1893), Minnie Daily (1894), M.W. Shields (1895), Miss V.B. Osborn and Jennie Gilbert (1897), W.H. Harler (1899). M.S. Blassingame (1899-1900) and D.D. Stanton (1877).
By this time the Georgia Public School System had been created and each school district had three trustees appointed by the county Board of Education. Trustees for the town district had included Richard Walls (1877-90), Captain J.W. Patric (1877-79), M.R. Chastain (1877-90), J.C. Henry (1879-83), A.B. Walls (1883-90). B.W. Gladden (1890-91), C.P. Vance (1890-91), Gus Hill (1890-95), Trammell Starr(1891).J.S. Addington (1891-92), Elisha Allen (1891-92). J.L. Robinson (1892-95), J. Etheridge (1892-95), James Ellis (1895), S.H. Fincher (1895), and J.W. Langston (1895).
Finally residents felt the need to combine the schools and began fundraising efforts for a "Spring Place School." In late 1899, 2 ½ acres of land were obtained from Julia E. Jones and construction began. Then came a large donation from George Hill in memory of his daughter Lucy. The school, erected south of the old Academy near a spring just off Ellijay Street, was re-named Lucy Hill Institute. Opening in 1900 or 1901, the school became one of the most famous facilities in the county, but its story began a few years earlier with the tragic death of Miss Lucy Hill.
Lucy Hill, born in 1879. had attended the Sumach Seminary and had begun teaching by 1895. In October of 1895 her beloved parents fell ill and Lucy had to go get medicine. A correspondent for the Dalton Argus recorded the death as follows:
Again our community has been plunged in deep gloom and sorrow by the tragic death of Miss Lucy Hill, daughter of G.W. Hill, Thursday evening. She had been to Dr. Price's at Sumach; and on returning, it is supposed her horse ran away, and, near Parson Henry's, threw her and killed her. The horse galloped home riderless, and her brother, Willis, started back on search and was the first to find her. She was already dead, her head crushed, arm broken, and back dislocated. Miss Lucy was one of those few young ladies that had not an enemy in the world. She was kind and affectionate to all alike, and being an only daughter, was the idol of her parents. It seems hard that one so young, so beautiful, so talented, and with so bright a future, should be so suddenly and shockingly snatched from her friends and loved ones. But "He that doeth all things well knoweth best," Miss Lucy was a Christian girl, and no doubt has gone from her present home on earth to her better home in heaven. She was interred Saturday near the home of her parents . . .
"Beaverdale Dots" in the Dalian Argus. Oct. 12, 1895
The Sumach correspondent to the Argus added the following:
The death was a sad one. [Lucy] was one of our prettiest, sweetest, and most accomplished young ladies. She had been a student of our high school, of the Dalton Female College, and also of the Cleveland, Tenn., Female College. Consequently, she had a host of friends ...
After Lucy's death her father wanted to do something to honor his daughter's memory and a school seemed a fitting way to do so. When he and the Board of Education agreed on the spot, the Hill money went to work.
In 1901 a Georgia legislative act was passed to establish a system of public schools in Spring Place, Murray County, Georgia, and to provide for the maintenance and support of the same by local taxation and otherwise; to provide for the government of the same; to provide for a board of education for said public schools in said city; to authorize and require the county school commissioner of Murray county to pay over to the treasurer of the board of education, for the use of said public schools, such of the State school funds as may be the just pro rata share of the said city of Spring Place, to be determined by the school census of the said city of Spring Place, and for other purposes.
The original Board members were Willis Pendley. W.J. Johnson. C.N. King. Dr. J.B. Hughes, and S.H. Fincher. By 1903. when an additional piece of land "in the wash back of the Presbyterian property . . . north of the Dickson's Shop," was obtained. T.J. Ovby, C.L. Henry. J.L. Cole. Mr. King, and Mr, Fincher were on the Board. This Board had total control of the school whose "principal" also served as "city" superintendent. Under the terms of the act the mayor and council could put the question of the independent system to the city's voters every 6 months "until said system is established,"
The school enjoyed several years of success. In 1919 a high school was added and these students attended school in the old courthouse where former offices became classrooms and the old courtroom was converted into an auditorium. Primary pupils continued to attend classes at the old Institute building until 1924 when a new brick structure was erected across the road, west of the courthouse-school. A year earlier the 1901 school act had been repealed when Lucy Hill was designated to be the official county high school and was returned to county control. Officers of the Spring Place Board of Trustees at the time were C.N. King - President. W.B. Robinson -Secretary, and J.E. Bradford -Treasurer.
After a period of time as a private residence, the Institute building was dismantled in 1930 and a large wooden gymnasium was constructed on the site. This was in keeping with the terms of Mr. Hill's gift that the property be used for school purposes. As much material as possible was salvaged from the old structure for use in the gym. Spring Place merchant Carl B. Davis provided nails and other materials for the project at cost while Mr. D.D. Kemp donated logs and some lumber. Paul Smith. Hill Hannah. Luke Ballew, and Ted Kemp were among the other townspeople involved in the project.
The gymnasium served Lucy Hill High School and its successors until it burned in the 1960's. The Spring Place Ruritan Club then constructed a picnic shelter on the grounds which they continue to maintain.
Although the institute is gone, the memory of Lucy Hill lives on. George Hill's descendants still own the large farm in northwest Murray County on which the Hill family cemetery is located and pictures of Lucy Hill and the Institute still hang in the Spring Place School library, A marker at the former site commemorates the school and the young lady for whom it was named. Each year modern-day Spring Place pupils visit the area for recreational activities and to learn about their school's history. Since 1977 former Institute, High School, and Primary School students have gathered there to relive their days at Lucy Hill.
Among the often talked about memories are the Lucy Hill baseball and basketball teams. Gus Terry. Raymond Cox, Willie King, George Colvard, Houston Childers. Harry Smith, and Vanoy King made up one basketball squad of the 1920's while Max Keister. Malcolm Anderson, Ed Cox. Will Overby, W.B. Robinson, Lee Cox. Dennis Groves. Fain Heartsell. Colquitt Cole, and Grover Henry comprised an early baseball team. Another important athletic event was when Lucy Hill won first place in five of six events the school entered in the 1929 Northern Division of the Seventh District Track Meet. Lucy Hill brought home the cup due to the efforts of George Ross who won both the 100-yard and 440-yard dash, Loren Ross who won in pole vaulting. Homer Robinson, the shot put winner, and Heartsell Bond who captured the high jump.
Lucy Hill also boasted a "Cherokee Literary Society." Clara Gregory, Verna Gregory, Mary Robinson, and Mary Harris were active in this group in 1930 and presented several programs of songs, readings, and recitations for the school.
In 1918 The Chatsworth Times carried this front page announcement:
GRADUATING EXERCISES - LUCY HILL INSTITUTE
The graduating exercises of the Lucy Hill Institute at Spring Place, will take place on next Tuesday evening. May 28, at 8 o'clock.
The members of the graduating class are Misses Annie Lou Bates, Nettie Winston Campbell, Clarence Edith Heartsell, Vivian Clyde Loweiy. Mary Adalyn Kemp, Thelma Merritt Treadwell.
PROGRAM
The program is as follows:
Reading-"Shall Autocracy or Democracy Live?" - By President of Claw.
Pantomime-"Star-Spangled Banner."
Response-"America"-By Audience.
Delivery of Diplomas-By Hon. C.N. King, President of Board of Education.
In these days students "graduated" from the eighth grade. Murray King and Bill Cole (Warmack) had been the first to graduate.
Former Lucy Hill students and teachers Willie Anderson Freeman, Frankie Anderson Zimmerman and Agnes Kemp remembered the Lucy Hill Institute School Song as follows:
In the shadows of old Cohuttta
Not far from Maddox Hill
Is the little town of Spring Place
And a school called Lucy Hill.
Chorus (repeated after each verse):
Then three cheers for Spring Place and give them with a will
Three rousing cheers for Spring Place and three for Lucy Hill.
Friends we are to Spring Place and friends we'II ever be.
For Lucy Hill and Spring Place are good enough for me.
What's that awful noise we hear
Come rolling o 'er the land?
That's not an earthquake, children.
That's just the Eton band.
The hissing and the rattle
Disturb you as they pass
Don't be alarmed, children,
It's just the natural gas.
Three miles east of town you will find
All on the L&N
Will someday be the capital
And they will tell you when.
They boast about the guano mill
Perhaps it's just as well...
No trouble finding Chatsworth,
You will know it by its smell.
The song, which captured some of the rivalry of Eton, Chatsworth, and Spring Place residents, was sung to the tune of "Way Down in the Diving Dells." Its author was teacher Charles H. Shriner.
The Lucy Hill Reunions have always been enjoyable although none have measured up to the first one, attendance-wise. More than 100 former students and their families returned to Spring Place that year, but since then the ranks have grown thinner.
The only relic of Lucy Hill Institute which survives is the school bell. When it was salvaged from the demolition of the building, the bell was broken. In 1956 Luke, Robert, and Michael Ballew transported the bell to Manly Jail Works in Dalton. That firm supplied the steel and former student Steve Luffman repaired the old bell. Placed in storage until the first reunion, the bell once again called students to Lucy Hill. The Spring Place Ruritan Club plans to mount the historic artifact in the present Spring Place Elementary School.
During the almost three decades of Lucy Hill's existence, many people served as instructors. Among the earliest teachers were "Professors" Nelson, Sampler. J.V. Trotter, Roach. Harper, and C.G. Byington (1902) in the upper grades along with Mollie Glass Brown and C.H. Shriner in the primary grades. Other teachers at the Institute included J.C. Bell (1917-18). J.C. Adams, Jennie Terry, Mr. Johnson. Oscar & Fletcher Charles. Luke Cantrell, Meady Shields (1916-17). Mamie King Trotter, Pansey Heartsell, Mrs. J.C. Barnette (1917-18), Gothrie, Choice Perkins and Chloe Cochran (1916-17), Lula Gladden (Principal 1918 or 19), Louise Picket!, Annie Lou Bates and Mary Kemp Ellis(1919), Sudie Walls, Christine Bagwell, Edith Heartsell Bullard, Marguerite Heartsell, Frankie Anderson (1919), Florida Harris, Mattie Lou Walls Pritchett (1917-21), Mrs. Sat-terfield. Agnes Kemp, Blanche Salts, Winona Salts, and the Freeman sisters.
High School teachers included Mr. White (1919). Principal W.F. Huffaker (1923-30), Principal Roland D. Carter (1930-34), Margaret Reems (music), pfpe Hill, Zack Head, Rose Blankenship (music), Frank Huffaker, Beulah Naive (music), Sarah Lee Leonard (1929-32), J.H. Morion (1932), Mr. Entrekin (1930), Pauline Ogle tree (1932-34), Mrs. Roland Carter (1931-34), Allen Pannell (1931), Charlie Pannell (1932-33), Mr. Horton, Misses Murphy and Yates, and Alwayne Bowers. Lucille Rogers, Thelma Cox (1933-34), Mrs. W.F. Huffaker (1929-32), Grady Robinson (1932). Eula Mae Thornton, A.N, Sanders (1929-30). Wright Loughridge (1933-34), and Agnes Kemp were among the primary teachers during the high school's existence.
Mr. D.D. Kemp was a trustee for some time. Willie Walls (1932), C.C. Whit-tenburg. C.C. Smith (1931). J.H. Robinson (1930). James Bearden (1931), John Luffman (1934), and J.A. Wilbanks (1933) were among Lucy Hill's last trustees.
Mr. Shriner also penned these lines about the famed institution:
There are places that may be fairer than ours.
Other schools may be more noble and grand.
But for true honest friendship and bliss.
Lucy Hill is the first in the land.
When all county high schools were consolidated in 1934, Lucy Hill High School became Lucy Hill Grammar School. Classes were held in both the courthouse and the 1924 building which was enlarged in 1949 with the addition of six classrooms. Additional land was obtained from the Pritchetts in 1953 and in 1956-57 the courthouse building was closed and dismantled. A lunchroom, new offices, a library, and more classrooms had been added to the other building which housed grades 1-8. Older students continued to use the courthouse lot as a playground until 1969.
School trustees during this era included Odell Ingle (1947-52), Paul Smith (1947-52). Chester Hannah (1947-52), Walt Scott (1947-50). C.B. Davis (1951-53). Bob Holcomb (1953), Ben Jones (1954-56). Walt Baggett (1954-57). Leslie Kilgore and Jess Fowler (1954-56), Cecil Roe, H.E. Rouse. Bill Timms, and W.K. Jones (all 1956-57). and John Wilbanks (1966).
The school lunch program began in 1947 with Mrs. Ruby Cook as the manager. The cafeteria was housed in an old army barracks that had been moved from Fort Oglethorpe. In 1985 Mrs. Cook and her long-time co-worker Rosa Ross gave Chatsworth Times writer Ruth Cox the following information about the lunch program. Other schools probably had similar beginnings.
... it was a cold day in January and two pot-bellied stoves had been set up to heat the building. A wood burning cook stove was used to cook the meals.
The first few years, of course, were the roughest, considering that they had no refrigeration or other conveniences such as we have today. The milkman delivered in the late morning, ll was then taken outside to keep cool until lunch time.
In the first days, a few picnic-style tables that had been brought from Fort Oglethorpe were used as well as a long shelf built along the walls on which the children could tat. No chairs were available, therefore they stood to eat. Later, long tables with benches were erected. Due to a limited amount of cooking utensils, food was cooked and removed from pans so as to use these pans for cooking more food. Sometimes by 11 a.m., the dry beans were not done after being on the stove all morning. If this happened, the stove eye was lifted, and the bean pot was placed over the flame in order that the meal be ready when the children came in for lunch. Cabbage used for cole slaw was grated with a hand grater and potatoes were peeled by hand.
Hours spent in the early lunchrooms were long; the work was hard and some of the work was done without pay, just loyal dedication to the job. On the opening date there were four workers and the salary was a mere $12 for five long days of labor. The price of lunch was 10 cents for each type-A lunch served with one-half pint of milk. All of the food, milk, and salaries for lunchroom employees were paid from this money.
The wintertime weather at the old barracks was unbearable, but with deterrnina-tion, they managed. Frozen water pipes would often burst and ice would remain on 'he floor all day. Workers would cautiously prepare lunch under these conditions and try to avoid the ice by standing in pasteboard boxes to serve and prepare foods, 'n the summertime the employees worked in 100-degree temperature.
Before moving from the old barracks, the workers began selling school supplies and were allowed to use the money for little "extras," such as paint, pots and pans.
The year 1956 was the time when the lunchroom was moved into the new addition. The equipment was more up to date. To be out of the barracks was good within "self, but here they had two refrigerators, a chest-type freezer, two electric stoves and ovens, and even a dish washer. They thought nothing could be any better.
The barracks then became classroom space for the next dozen years. Sometime during the 1950's the school was officially re-named Spring Place Elementary School. Lunchroom workers include names such as Estelle Hannah, Rosa Ross. Edna Burt, Martha Cook Hamrick, Ruth Ross, Henrietta McDaniel. Marcelle Kilgore. the late Mrs. Mattie Robinson. Attie Myrtle Ballew, Averil Ballew, Aileen Pritchett. the late Mae Davis. Ruby Davis. Glenice Ridley and possibly others. Mrs. Cook retired in 1979, 10 years after the school moved to a new location near the southeastern edge of town on the Leonard Bridge Road. The new land had been obtained from Mr. & Mrs. Ed Burger.
The Church of God of the Union Assembly eventually bought the old property and converted the building into a retirement home for its members. With the move to the new school Spring Place residents left behind memories of eighth-grade graduations, various school athletic events, a multi-level building, barracks rooms and rooms made from combining former "cloak rooms." and a coal-burning furnace.
During the years following the closing of the high school. Lucy Hill-Spring Place had many fine teachers. Among them were Charlie Ross. Ruth Kemp-Eldora Ballew. Nadine Wilbanks. Thelma Cox, Will Frances Robinson, Guy Jones. Ralph Richards. Elvira Hicks. C.W. Bradley, H. H. Cordell,, Fred Driver, and Verna Gregory all in the 1930's. Principals of the school in succeeding years were Hoke Jackson (1945-48). Wallace Petty (1942-45. 1948-55), W.A. Crump (1955-56). L.B. Ross and Carl L. Davis who has the record for years of continuous administration at any Murray County school.
Spring Place was fortunate to have a very stable faculty during the 1940's. 50's. and 60's. Indeed some of the teachers came to be as much of an institution as the school and were the living symbols of education in Spring Place. Miss Agnes Kemp, who taught at the old Institute building went on to teach for more than 40 years. Willie Mae Pritchett Sexton was another long-time educator who came to the school in the 1920's and spent the better part of four decades at Spring Place. Mrs. Annie Ross Welch also taught at the school for a number of years as did Mrs. Mamie Hannah. These taught in at least three of the school's buildings. Other teachers in this era were Birdie Lyles (1942, 1952-56), Cordelia Timrnons (1942). Troy Richards (1950-51), Ella Mae Duvall (1950-51). Ruby Burnette (1950-53). Margaret Gregory (1952-55), Joan Peeples Leonard (1952-55). Thelma Petty (1953-55), Billie Morrison (1955-59.1965), Mrs. H.C.Boston, (1955-56), Mrs. Fred Fraker (1957-58). Mrs. W.C. Heirs (1958-60), Bernice Groves (1965-67), Charolette Ford Cantrell (1965-69), Julian Coffey (1965-67) Hiram D. Coffey (1965-68), Juanita Coulter (1966-68), Sue Tanksley (1967-69),' Nadine Keith (1967-68). Irene Malone (1967-69). and Gordon Horner.
Another group of long-time faculty members who retired after extended service at Spring Place includes Jennie Peeples (1952-68). Frances Jordan Green (1942, 1948, 1950-76). Attie Myrtle Ross Ballew (1952-70), Gallic Peeples Knight (1952-59). Loren B. Ross (1953-72), Sybil McLemore (1964-76), Frances Townsend (1975-86), Estelie Townsend (1955-85). Maxine Tracy (1969-74), Hubert Seal, and Milma Earnest.
Today Spring Place is the largest elementary school in the county with an enrollment twice as large as the 582 students who attended the new school in 1969. Three wings have been added to the main building which now houses most of grades 1-6. Separate structures provide classrooms for kindergarten, special education, and other students. A new gymnasium was built in 1976-77 due largely to the work of the Spring Place Ruritan Club and the school's PTA, led by Carl and Wanda Poteet and Mike Ballew. A $10,000 contribution from the Governor's Emergency Fund also helped complete the project.
Jean Ballew, a long-time English teacher at the school who succeeded Bernita Harris and Jetta Vinson as librarian, is now the senior faculty member at Spring Place. Two other teachers, Ann Green Bailey and Lois Faith Parrish, also taught at the school's former location. Mildred Ingle and the late Byrd Daviswere also school employees for some time.
Since the move to the new school, lunchroom manager Martha Ridley and teachers like Clarinda Ballew Ridley, Kinma Huffstetler Bond, Ranelle Hannah West, Sheila Spivey Rich. Gary Garland, Nell Wilburn, Diane Hester. Nan Oz-ment. Nancy Kinser, Lois Tilson. Judy Reece, Gary Ross, Darlene Hilton Hoi-comb, Lynn Murphy, Leroy Hamrnett, Karen Ross Waters, Filbert Lewis, Rickie Elrod Caldwell, Betty Henry, Marvene Green, and Assistant Principal C.L. Dunn have worked at the school for several years.
Spring Place Churches
Since the days of the Moravian Mission, Spring Place has generally been the home of three churches. In the 1830's the town boasted Baptist. Methodist, and Presbyterian congregations. Then, in the early days of this century, the Church of God was established just as the Presbyterian church began its final decline.
The Spring Place Presbyterian Church was formed prior to 1835 and is thought by some to have been the second church organized in Murray County. Presbyterian missionaries had visited the area as early as 1817. Deeds show that on October 8, 1835 James Morris sold 4 acres of land to the trustees of the church for "worship and for an academy." The trustees included James A.W. Johnson. S.M. Nelson. William C. Lough and Mr. Nedler.
While many believe that the church had only one home, it most likely had two. for not until the 1850's was the real church structure built. Where the Presbyterians worshipped until then is not clear, but in that decade Robert Woods built the brick structure using slave labor. This building was one of the most beautiful in the county. It had a fine organ, red carpet (as did no other church), and "gates on the pews."
The church was successful for many years. William Beard Brown of Chattanooga served as minister in 1862-63 and the North Georgia Citizen of September 3, 1874 carried this bit of news;
Sabbath services at the Presbyterian Church in Spring Place were unusually interesting and impressive. Rev. Mr. Jones preached to a large and attractive audience in his unusual fellicitious style. Col. James A. McKamy was ordained Elder and sacrament administered to a goodly number of communicants.
In 1893 an issue of the Spring Place Jimplicute contained this story which was re-printed in the Dalton newspaper since Rev. Matthews lived in that city, but also served Spring Place.
"Rev. Mark Matthews came over Friday and filled his appointment here. Regardless of the rain a good crowd assembled and heard a fine sermon on "Consider The Way.' Our reporter called on Brother Matthews and had the following interview: " 'Good evening Mr, Matthews.' " 'Good evening my dear friend. Come in. 1 am glad to see you and I hope you are well and happy.'
" 'Well, Mr. Matthews, tell me of your work,'
" 'Well sir, my work is very heavy. 1 have as much as two men ought to do. But the work is prospering in every respect. I am happy when I can be doing the work of the Lord. If I go a day and don't make somebody happy I don't sleep good at night. 1 am truly a servant of the people. I have been coming to this place about a year and 1 feel that some good has been accomplished. I come without the hope of any financial reward and 1 have not received any thing and do not want it. You can say to the little 'doodlebugs' who have been prying into my business that I am not needy. Yes, I love the people of Spring Place and 1 will always love them for their kindness to me.' "
For many years, services were held regularly and attendance was good. However near the turn of the century the church began to decline. Many members had died or moved away. In an effort to improve attendance, services were moved to Sunday afternoons so that people who lived in other parts of the county or attended other churches could get to Spring Place, too. Efforts to rebuild the congregation failed and in the teens services were discontinued.
In 1932 The Chatsworlh Times printed this account and letter on the front page.
Presbyterian Church Al Spring Place Being Demolished
The Presbyterian church building, at Spring Place, which was built in the eighteen fifties and which has become one of the outstanding historic spots in this county, is being demolished.
The destruction of this building has caused much protest from those who have known about it and Miss Lela Wilson, one of the members of the church, and probably the only one now living, has written a letter of protest and requested that it be Published.
A Protest
A few days ago two of my nephews and I were driving from Dalton and they expressed a desire to drive by and see "Mother's Old Church," as they called it. What was our consternationtosee it being demolished. My very soul was hurt to see tile only spiritual home 1 have ever known being destroyed. My earliest memories of Christian things were learned tlicre. My church vows were also taken there and with my people I for years took the communion there. To me every brick in its walls was sacred, and its altar holy, I exclaimed: "Who has dared profane this sanctuary?" My grandmother, moving here from South Carolina, was instrumental in its erection and the largest doner and remembered the church in her will. My family, impoverished by war, made every sacrifice to keep it alive and provide a minister. This is well known over the county. 1 am the only communicant left in the county, and it strikes me if the church was to be handed over to a member of another church, common courtesy demanded 1 at least have notice. There were many things of no intrinsic value 1 would have treasured for their association, but I sec even God's house is not immune from slick trading.
The last and bitterly hurt member of the dear old Presbyterian church at Spring Place.
LELA WILSON,
While Miss Wilson's words were very stirring, she was a bit inaccurate in one instance. She was not the last member of the church for at least one other member was. and is still, living in Murray County. Mrs. E.P. (Bessie Mae) Adams joined the Spring Place Presbyterian Church around 1903 or 1904, Her father, Thomas B. Davis, was ordained an Elder of the congregation on November 14, 1906 and Mrs. Adams possesses many memories of the church as well as the last records.
In this first decade of the 20th century, the group pledged support ranging from 50¢ to $6 to obtain a regular pastor. Rev. Kiddo P. Simtnons of Rome served from 1907 until 1908 at least. Regular monthly preaching services continued, but often the members sought financial support from leading Spring Place citizens like W.W, Sampler, R.M. Gudger, George Chamblee, Frank Peeples, Lewis Thompson. William Pendley, and O.K, Bates who attended other churches. The membership roll numbered 23: Elders James McCamy (who died in 1906). f H Dickson, Mr. Davis, and T.J. Ramsey (also ordained in November, 1906), John McKamy. Nancy McKamy, Mrs. E.H. Dickson, Lizzie and Eva Dickson, Mrs. T.J. Ramsey. Mrs, M.B. Stewart, James Whitecotton, Mrs. R.E, Wilson, Lela Wilson, EulaEdmondson.Marnie and Addie Pendley, Elizabeth Ellen Rouse, Harvey Rouse, Ethel Chamblee, Mrs. Laura Davis, and Bessie Mae Davis (Adams).
Other names associated with the church in earlier days included James A. Randell, Dawson Walker, W.W. Gilles, A.L. Ramsey. M.B. Stewart, and Elder John Glass whose daughter Mrs. Mollie Brown was a long-time postmistress in Spring Place. Mr. Davis did much to beautify the church and grounds.
According to Mrs. Adams the church boasted a pretty altar, solid wood pews, a beautiful yard with much shrubbery, nice windows, a picket fence built by Mr. Ramsey, an open porch, and a plank walkway in front of the building. The yard extended westward to the road which went to Lucy Hill Institute while the small cemetery was very near the church on the east side. Mr. Ramsey was the long-time caretaker and lived across Ellijay Street from the church. He also tolled the bell for services. This bell had once rung at the Moravian Mission and is now at the Vann House Historic Site. The church also had a successful Sunday school.
When the Presbyterian Church property was sold, Mr. C.N. King, a well-known lawyer, became the owner. Today, Mr. Mike Ballew's residence stands on the site of the old church.
The history of the Spring Place United Methodist Church also goes back to the days of the Cherokees as a mission to the Indians. The exact date of the establishment is not known, but the first reports to the Holston Conference of Tennessee were in 1835, The mission was a member of the New Town District along with seven other missions.
After 1832, when the Cherokee lands were opened forwhite settlement, the early Methodist settlers also worshipped at the mission. The Cherokee Removal in 1838 saw the group at Spring Place become an all-white congregation by 1839. The Holston Conference met Oct. 9, 1844 and the area of the conference within Georgia was given to the Georgia Conference. This territory, including Spring Place and Murray County, was formally accepted by the Georgia Conference on January 18- 1845. Nathaniel Harrison was an early member.
The mission was located near [he old Moravian Mission on what is now the old Ellijay Road. In 1851. the congregation moved to a site on Elm Street in Spring Place and built a brick church facing north. James Morris sold the land to the trustees for $5. The trustees were. John O'Donnall, David Jay.W.W. Stone, R.S. Morris and E.H.L. Keister. James Edmondson and Sarah H. Powell had earlier held an interest in the property.
Over the next quarter of a century the church grew, surviving the Civil War which divided the Methodists into the Methodist Episcopal Church and the M.E. Church South. In 1870 Trustees Keister, William H. Steed, U.H. Duncan, and William J. Worsham purchased additional property from the Morris estate, At one time the church also owned a parsonage on Ellijay Street. W.H. Staples and A.J. Leonard were also trustees in the 1870's. In 1873 Frank Vonberg sold another parcel of land to the church and 2 years later a new building was erected on the brick foundation of the 1851 building which had burned a short time before. The new edifice faced east, however, and was to be the Methodists' home for the next 101 years.
As Spring Place grew, so did the churches. Regardless of denomination, the citizens worshipped at all the churches as the circuit riders made their rounds. Many home-comings, conferences, box suppers, Sunday school meetings, revivals, and women's group meetings highlighted the history.
After the county seat moved to Chatsworth, a new church was established there and the membership at Spring Place declined. However there remained a faithful number to carry on the church.
Pastors of the church during that century were numerous but included J.S. Embrey (1876), Freeman Rush Smith (1890). B.N. McHan, J.B. Godfrey, N.A. Parsons, Rev. Cook (1941-44), Clyde Blackstock, H.G. England, Ellis Brashear, Horace Webb, Boyd Wagner, Charles Burton, John Underwood, Robert Cagle, C.L, Peck, and Walton McNeal.
During the 1970's the congregation saw the need to build a new church with more parking space. When no land became available in Spring Place, 5 acres were purchased just north of the Vann House and a new sanctuary completed in 1976. Rev. McNeal left the church in 1979 and was succeeded by Charles Davis, Mark Westmorland, and David Bilhimer,
Over the years many dedicated leaders worked and worshipped at Spring Place Methodist Church. Among the older ones are Mattie Henry, Sally Kemp, Sam and Laura Fincher (superintendent and organist), Mr. & Mrs. Frank Vonberg the Cox family. Edd Pritchett, Mr. & Mrs. W.B, Robinson and Kate Keister w[io often tolled the bell for services and to sound the alarm of a fire in the town. Other long-time leaders of the congregation include Miss Agnes Kemp (a member since 1914), Mrs. Minnie Gryder (a Sunday school teacher for most of four decades). Mr. & Mrs. C.N. King, Jr., Mr. & Mrs. Odell Ingle, Mr. & Mrs. Paul Smith, Mr. & Mrs. Carl L. Davis, Mrs. Rosa Ross, Mr. & Mrs. Jay Cox, and Mr. & Mrs. William L. Hawkins.
The WhitfieId-Murray Historical Society has preserved and restored the old Methodist church which is now used as a museum and as a public meeting facility.
The exact date for the founding of the Spring Place Baptist Church is not known, but it is possible that it was founded by Humphrey Posey, a staunch Baptist who was an early teacher and a zealous missionary in the area during Indian days. In 1846 Spring Place left the Coosa Baptist Association to join the new Middle Cherokee Association so the church was established sometime earlier.
The first home of the church was a log building located northwest of the present church near the Robert Ballew residence, not far from the cemetery. According to tradition this structure burned while in use as a school. Early pastors included A.E. Vandivere (1848) and W.A. Ellis (1849-50).
Around 1850 a second church was built directly across Highway 225 from the 1956 church. A deed made by James Morris, M.D. Jones, Mitchell Jones. Mary Jones, and Frances Jones was recorded in September. 1850 and mentions "where the Baptist Church is built." The church still owns the property which was the church site for 40 years.
In 1870 Martin Isbell was the Spring Place pastor while James C. Henry and C.B. Holland were leaders. Records of the North Georgia Baptist Association show that the congregation included 12 Negroes, Also in the 1870's the church obtained another parcel of land from W.W. Gibbs (or Gillas). Deeds mention a parsonage and a nearby brick kiln. The North Georgia Citizen carried the following somewhat premature announcement in December. 1874:
There is a strong idea afloat that at no distant day the building of a Baptist Church in Spring Place will be commenced. A small amount of funds with which to begin is now all that is required.
Not until November 7, 1891 did the church appoint J.F. Harris. John McNeal, M. Roberts, T.J. Overby, and O.C. Coins to "lay off" the building on land given to the trustees by J.C. Henry. A beautiful white frame building was constructed by the members in 1892-93. Bill Henry and Frank Vonberg made the pews for the third Spring Place Baptist Church.
The old building was then used as a school but later became a livery stable. Mattie Lou Walls Pritchett remembered the structure as a wide, "low-like" weatherbeaten and, unpainted building with a gently sloped roof when she went there in 1903 to ask Mr. Hilliard, the liveryman, to take her to her first teaching job in Whitfield County. "Miss Mattie Lou" said that the building had a big wide door and faced east. The windows had been boarded up when it was converted from the school into the stable. Along-time member of the Church, Mrs. Pritchett. saw four Spring Place Baptist sanctuaries, this older one which was torn down or burned around 1915 as well as the three which have followed.
The 1892 building was used by the growing congregation until it was dis-mantled in 1955. The best lumber and materials were salvaged fromtheold building and used in a new brick sanctuary with several classrooms which was dedicated in 1956. The dour trim from the last Spring Place courthouse was placed over the front door of this structure.
By 1980 the congregation saw the need for another sanctuary, more classrooms, and a fellowship hall. A building program was begun with Alton Wagnon, Johnny West. Maynard Young. Ernest Witherow. Leonard Thomas, Randall Richards and Mike Ballew on the original committee. The new masonry building with a wood arched roof was occupied on Easter Sunday, 1982. Danny Walters was the pastor. Noteburning services were held in December, 1985.
In 1875 Spring Place Baptist had 136 members; 110 years later it boasted 345. Some of the earliest members of the congregation were the Anderson, Henry. King, Johnson, Lowery, Carter, Rollins, Ellis, Temples. Roberts. Henderson, McGhee, Hill, Etheridge, Black, Bagley, Adams, Howard, Shields, Wells and Ovbey families. Several generations of Ballews, Rouses, Elrods, Robinsons, and Richardses have also attended services there.
Many men have pastored at Spring Place including W.P. Fore, J.W. Bailey C1899) V.J. McVeigh, H.D. Gilbert, E.H. Scott. W.C. Luther. J.E. Hudson MQOO)' C.C. Maples (1913), Revs. Austin and Stone. A.F. McDenne?. M.H. Welch (1920- W.F. Huffaker, W.M. Kelly, Charlie Plemons. Kirby Park (1946), C E Ward, Walter Harper, Frank Harper, Revs. Compton. Seymore. and Bur-nette Bob Porch. Tom Turner (1960's). Marshall Bamett, Jack Whitehead (1970's), and Danny Walters. Mike Purdy is the present pastor.
Deacons at the church in times past included C.N. King, Sr., W.L. Roberts, C C. Smith. Oliver Pierce Ballew, W.R. Ballew, Tom West, Carl B. Davis, Luke Ballew, Joe Tucker. Troy Richards, Tom Morris, Ed Ballew, Jim Roberts, and Emest'Pritchett. J.W. Robinson, C.W. Brown, W.L. Roberls. C.N. King, WJ. Johnson, and C.E, Wilbanks all served as clerk.
The third church in Spring Place today is the Church of God, now located west of the cemetery on the Ellijay Road. Founded in 1909, the first services were held al Shriner's store in Spring Place. When charter members Sam Latimer. Lee Jones, Bill Coker. and Mamie Carter organized this group, it was only the third Church of God in Georgia. Land for the church home was donated by Lee Jones and Mrs. Arthur Jones.
In 1913 the original building burned and during the next year a second structure was built. The present building was constructed in 1936 and has been remodeled in 1961, 1965. and again in more recent years.
Some of the past pastors were: S.W, Latimore, Wesley Murphy, T.S. Payne, Henry Murphy, S.L. Cantrell. Joe Moon, J.H. Nix, J.R. Davis, W.M, Murphy, C.A. Culpepper, Hubert Davenport, J.P. Green. Frank Swaggarty, Francis Bell. Joe Jordan, Homer Milon. L.C. Smith, Don Tatum, J.D. Bazemore. Bill Cantrell, Hoyt Scroggins, Clyde Richmond, Roy Shields, Richard Harkins, Annette Whitley. a Hulsey, Bob Cox, George Douglas. Edd Messer.
Rev. Bill Parker, a great-grandson of charter member Mamie Carter, has been pastor of the church for several years, (Information from Margaret Jones.)
Murray County Heritage