The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 11 GUIN'S TORNADO OF NOV. 1973 DESTROYED 14 HOMES On a Monday afternoon in November of 1973, a tornado struck Guin, destroying some 14 homes. The tornado first struck about 1.5 miles north of Guin destroying the mobile homes of Mr. and Mrs. Charles GREEN and J. B. SIZEMORE and the homes of Inez and Dorothy EASTMAN, Mr. and Mrs. Colvin FINCH and the home and grocery store of Mr. and Mrs. Rover GANN. The GREENS and Mr. SIZEMORE were not at home at the time but the others were not as fortunate. Inez EASTMAN and her daughter Dorothy were slightly injured and Mr. and Mrs. FINCH and Mr. and Mrs. GANN were hospitalized and treated for cuts and bruises. The twister moved north up the hill and lifted over a mobile owned by James MILES but set back down into the home of Joe AKERS, injuring his wife and two young sons and destroying their house. Directly across the street there was some damage done to the home of Larkin ERWIN and 93 year old Ida ERWIN was shook up and later had to be admitted to the Guin Hospital to be treated for shock. A mobile home next to ERWIN's was picked up, turned over and set down on a new Buick which still had the price tag in the window. Moving up the hill the wind destroyed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Vince WEBB and caused minimal damage t the home of Ruth NIX and Davis BOYETTE. But after all this the tornado was not yet finished. It tore the roof off the home of Junior DOCKERY and demolished the home of John HAYNES. The twister continued on its northward path occasionally destroying a house or a barn between Guin, Yampertown and Brilliant. A total of 9 houses, and 5 mobile homes were destroyed in Guin alone and other damages were done over the county.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 11 MARION COUNTY WAS ONCE INDIAN LANDS Marion County is situated in what was once the Chicksaw(sic) Indian Domain. No Indian settlements were found in the county, but it was thought to be the hunting ground of this trible(sic). An Indian mound about ten feet high is located at Military Ford and places where Indians ground corn have been found on some of the rocks near Hackleburg, and around Winfield, Arrowheads have been found in many parts of the county. It is bounded on the west by Mssissippi(sic), on the north by Franklin County, on the east by Winston and Walker Counties, on the South by Fayette and Lamar Counties. The first settlers came from Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia. The western part of the county seems to have been settled first and some of the family names of the earliest descendants are still found here. Among these are the MOOREMANS, STONES, NORTHINGTON, and WEATHERFORDS, and also some of the early salves(sic) families are still found. These are the McFADDENS, SWANIGANS, HISBORNS, SMITHS, BOBOS, LOCKRIDGE, and KEYS. The county is located in the northern coastal plains area and has an elevation of from 492 feet at Hamilton to 931 at Hackleburg, Winfield 468 of Guin to 434. Most of the county is hilly. In the southern part the hills are low and rounded in outline, but in the central and northern part the surface is rough and broken, some parts being mountainous. The northern part of the county is the beginning of the Apalachian(sic) Highland and the similar soil and rock formations are found there. Frequently the streams flow against sandstone cliffs 50 to 100 feet high. The northeastern part of the county is drained by Bear Creek and the steams flowing into it. It flows in a northwestwardly direction and into the Tennessee River near Riverton. The northwestern part of the county is drained by Bull Mountain Ceek(sic), which flows in a southwestwardly direction. Te(sic) remainder of the western part of the county is drained by Sipsey and its tributaries and flows in a southern direction. The southeastern part of the county is drained by steams flowing in a southern direction. The largest of these are: Sipsy, New River, Little New River, Louxapalilla(sic) and Beaver Creek. The central and major part of the County is drained by Buttahatchee River, which flows from near Haleyville, from east to west across two thirds of the county, to Sulligent. Most of the tributaries of this river flow in from the north. With the exception of Bear Creek, all of these streams flow into the Tombigbee and its tributaries. Hackleburg is the dividing line between the Tennessee and Tombigbee Rivers. It is said to be the highest point on the I. C. Railroad from Chicago to Miami.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 9 HAMILTON HAD A "TOLL GATE FARM" About 1818 William RAGSDALE settled the place where Hamilton now stands. He was the first judge of the county and built a mill and cleared much of the land known as "Toll Gate Farm." The site was later owned by Col. HELVINGTON. He is aid to have owned a thousand acres of land between Williams Creek and Buttahatchee River. Slave labor was used to work the farm. Some of the earliest settlers were William RAGSDALE, Robert CLARK, Morris HALL, HOLLOWAYS, CRENSHAWS, McKAYS, MEADORS and McFADDEN families. Among the early builders of Toll Gate were: Col. HELVINGTON, Gen. CHOLSON, Dr. KEY, David HUBBARD, FRAZIER and SARGENT families. Fragmentary records give some accounts of Toll gate as far back as 1815 and the first post office seems to have been established soon after that date. It is definitely known that General Andrew JACKSON came back from the Battle of New Orleans and camped at Military Ford, three miles south of Hamilton. In 1820 he was appointed by the War Department to improve the highways so as to have a good road to operate the Grand Southern Mail, which ran from New Orleans to Nashville. Toll Gate was selected as one of the post offices and a stop over to change teams and pay tolls. It is said that a stage coach from the south would blow a horn for the number of meals the passengers wanted when they were on Cashion or Lewis Hill about four miles away. In this way the inn keeper could have the meals ready since the stop was short. Later a telegraph line was established from New Orleans to Nashville through Toll Gate. Messages could be sent over this line from Toll Gate to all points of U.S. When Toll Gate was first established the charges were set. For each wagon and team, seventy-five cents, for each four wheel pleasure carriage seventy-five cents, for each two wheel pleasure cart fifty cents, for one man and horse twelve and one half cents, for each loose or led horse six and one fourth cents, for each head of cattle, four cents, for each head of hogs, sheep or goats two cents, U.S. Mail and express wee to go free, also all people on foot or people going to or from a mill, or going to church could go free. Lemuel and Jacob FRANKS were the First Toll Gate keepers. In 1886 Hamilton had a few dozen people. Some of these families were: FITES, FORDS, HAMILTONS, CASHIONS, MIXONS, FRASIERS, CLARKS, KEYS and MARTINS. Barnes HOLLOWAY lived for many years. Only during the past 30 years has it been called Key Branch. There wee the TERRELLS, GASKINS, CARPENTERS, DUNNS, RIGGINS. Mail came each Saturday afternoon from Aberdeen, Miss., and went to the store of WHITE and HAMILTON. J. R. WHITE was postmaster. Early in the history of the town William NEAL came from Pikeville and built the first store. It was located where MIXON's Hardware Store now stands. He also built the old house called the FITE House, now owned by Miss Mattie FITE. FRASIER and GOST built a store where e Clint CANTRELL is now located.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 9 BYRD SCHOOL BEGAN 1883 In the Byrd School Community one early school, not now in existence, was Mount Joy, a one-teacher school. This was in operation from about 1883-1908. About 1908 a new school building was erected on land given by Mr. John REAL, and the name of the school changed form Mount Joy to Real School. Byrd School at that time was a two-teacher school. Another one-teacher school in the community was Waterson School. In 1930 a tornado destroyed Byrd School house. In 1921 a new building was erected on land given by Mr. H. R. RIGGS. The Red Cross gave $5,000 to help finance the building with the understanding that Real and Watson Schools would consolidate with Byrd.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 9 HODGES CONVENTION BAPTIST CHURCH WAS ORGANIZED IN 1938 Hodges Convention Baptist Church was organized in 1938 with Rev. L. C. TUCKER as first pastor, and Rev. Frank M. BARNES of Montgomery as the first Evangelist. Deacons are Leburn MASON, Travis SHEDD, Roman GOBER, and Roger DAVIS. Clerk is Mrs. Treva MASON, treasurer is Travis SHEDD, and the pastor is Rev. Loyd Ray GRIFFUS. There are 40 active members.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 9 NEW MT. CARMEL WAS ORGANIZED IN 1948 New Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Chruch was organized May 30, 1948. They shared a building belonging to Mt. Carmel Primitive Baptist Church until February 1972. They moved inot their new church building four miles southwest of Hodges on the Bull Mountain Road. First pastor was Rev. Kermit BOBO. Present pastor is Rev. John OLIVER and the Deacons are Olen PALMER, Mack EMERSON, Tom EMERSON and Henderson EMERSON. Clerk is Mrs. Essie Fay PALMER, treasurer is Mrs. Alma HOLLAND.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 9 MARION COUNTY MANY YEARS OLD One hundred and forty years ago Marion County was created as one of the counties of the Alabama Territory. This was done on December 13, 1818. When first created, the county included all the territory east of the headwaters of the Tombigbee River from its source near the Franklin County line, to a point of northern Clark County on this river. Then it extended up the Warrior River to a point north of Tuscaloosa, then in a northwest direction to the southern boundary of Franklin County, then west of the Tombigbee River. This included the present counties of Lamar, Pickens, part of Tuscaloosa, Green, Sumpter, part of Coctaw, Fayette, Walker and Winston counties. The present towns included in this area were: Aberdeen, Columbus, Vernon, Carellton, Eutaw, Fayette, Cordova, Carbon Hill, Jasper, Double Springs, and Haleyville. In 1820 the legislature changed the boundaries from a line near Columbus, Mississippi, east to the Warrior River and to the Jefferson County line, then north to the southeastern corner of Lawrence County, or all the territory west of Blount County. (At that time Cullman County was a part of Blount County). The county was further reduced in size in 1824 by the formation of Fayette and Walker Counties, in 1850 by Winston and in 1866 by the formation of Lamar County. The county was named from General Francis Marion of South Carolina. In the Revolutionary War he was known as the "Swamp Fox."

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 9 THE RYE JUG FACTORY WAS ONCE A PROSPEROUS BUSINESS In the early 1870's the RYE Jug Factory was started in Hamilton. The factory was located in what was then known as the Cross Roads near Hamilton, and operated through 1944 or 1945. The RYE family that operated the factory used raw materials such as white clay (which is now known as kaolin), water and wood for the jug making process. The glaze used to coat the finished product was generally made form ashes, that were mixed with water to form a paste. the items were dipped in this solution and when it dried it formed a glossy, hard glaze on the finished produce. The glaze had nothing in it added for color, but turned out different colored jars and jugs that were very pretty. James A. (Jimmy) RYE was one of the early operators, and John and Curt RYE who still live in the Hamilton area worked in the factory also. Curt RYE's son, Jessie, helped his father and grandfather around the factory when he was a small lad. The making of the various pots, jugs and jars was not an easy task. The raw materials, clay wood and water had to be hauled by wagon to the factory. And, just any clay, and wood would not suffice. The clay had to be tested and mixed to just the right consistency or when the pottery items were placed in the kiln to be fired, they would burst. Some of the various items produced by the RYE Jug Factory included: one, two, three and five gallon jugs, chicken jugs, used to water chickens, churns ranging in size from two gallon to five gallon, pitchers, one and two gallon and flower pots of different sizes. They also made some 10 gallon jars for preserving meat. These jars wee somewhat straighter up and had larger mouths generally. The factory did some custom work for customers. Syrup makers used special jugs for storing their syrup and of course, moonshiners came in and ordered special size containers to store their goods. The RYE descendants traveled miles and miles to sell their goods. They sold in Sulligent, Carbon Hill, Leighton, Vina, Bear Creek, Hackleburg, Hodges, Winfield, Fayette and in the edge of Mississippi. The churns were sold at 7 1/2c per gallon, thus a four gallon churn sold for 30 cents. Later the price of the churns were raised to ten cents per gallon, or 40c for a four gallon churn. To make a jug or jar, the person first began with a ball of clay. It was placed on a type of spinning machine that was pumped by foot, and as the ball of clay was spinning the man would use his hands to bring the clay up, one hand on the inside and one on the outside of the jug until it was rounded out and perfectly molded. The rings inside of old churns and jars seen today are the fingerprints of the man who made it, or "turned it" as it was known to pottery men. After the jug was turned, it was placed in the kiln, a large stone apparatus that was built in the ground. It was then fired for anywhere from 14 to 18 hours. It generally took three or four cords of wood to fire a kiln of pottery. Considering that all this wood had to be chopped with axes, it took a lot of hard work to just fire the green pottery. The fire was started low, and gradually it was built up until it was so hot that inside the kiln was so bright the pottery men said it hurt their eyes to look at it. Then the air vent sin the kiln were closed off and the fire gradually died down. The pottery then had to set, closed up air tight, for about three days before it could be taken from the kiln. Remains of the old kiln, that was built of fetal stone and clay still remain in a wooded area near the old house place. The Jug Factory was also used as the polling place for the RYE Beat. After th factory shut down, the old RYE home was used for voting and later the polls were moved to the Byrd School where citizens presently do their voting.

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The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 4 CHURCH AT TOLL GATE ONCE METHODIST After the Civil War the Methodist moved from Pleasant Ridge to Toll Gate. The Free Will Baptist moved in and took over this place of worship. They built a new building and worshiped there for 15 years when they building was blown away by a cyclone. Another new building was erected and was used until 1937 when the present church was erected. The first pastors were L. L. NICHOLS and James BUCKHAM of Horse Creek. Other pastors have been J. G. BOYETT, V. L. PUCKETT, I. K. BOYETT, C. R. PUCKETT, Hudson BURLASON, and Jim HOWELL. The charter members were: L. L. NICHOLS, Smith PARKER, Mattie PARKER, Clementine BELK, E. M. BELK, Josh LITTLETON, Lafayette PALMER, Sallie WHITE, J. B. PETERSON, Nancy NICHOLS, Cinda NICHOLS and Ashitliee WINSETT. The church now has over 200 members.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 4 HACKLEBURG'S FIRST CHURCH WAS METHODIST The first church was the Hackleburg Congregational Methodist, housed in a little log building about one mile south of the town. Some of the members were, W. W. FREDERICK, John COLEMAN, and B. P. CANTRELL. They came out of this church and organized the Methodist Church South. The building for this church was erected in town in 1889. Because of some large cedar trees the church was called the Cedar Tree Methodist Church. The Baptist Church was organized July 5, 1908. Some of the charter members were J. M. CONDEN and family, J. L. VANDIVER and family and W. J. BRYAN and family. The Church of Christ was organized about 1912 and the Church of God about 1920.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 4 MT. OLIVE CHURCH NEAR HODGES WAS FIRST ORGANIZED IN 1898 Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist church near Hodges, was organized in 1898. There have been three different buildings for the church. The second one was built in 1939. The present building was built in 1969. The first service held in this building was in December of 1969. At present the church has 75 active members. Deacons are: James GARARD, Homer DOWNS, Ed FLEMING, Elvin DOLLAR, and Marion PRITCHETT. Pastors serving Mt. Olive Church beginning in 1924 were: 1924-W. M. MILLER, 1928-H. P. JACKSON, 1929-S. S. THOMPSON, 1838-W. S. SCOTT, 1943-A. DICKERSON, 1945-Ben G. DODD, 1947-A. DICKERSON, 1949-Earl PHILLIPS, 1953-W. W. WATTS, 1953-Alzie BISHOP, 1957-J. W. HENDERSON, 1963-Bryce JONES, 1964-I. D. CROWE, 1968-Larry HILLY, 1969-Dossie HUTCHINS, 1970-Coye MARBUTT, 1972-Dwight WILSON, 1974-Vernon FISHER, 1976-James C. NICHOLS, Clerk, Ann EMERSON and Treasurer, Rosa GOBER.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 4 GUIN'S METHODIST CHURCH WAS FIRST ORGANIZED IN 1890 The Guin Methodist Church was organized on February 22, 1890 with 14 members. Rev. D. A. LOVE of the Beaverton Mission was the first pastor. It was organized at the home of Orse SILAS. The charter members were Watson BROWN, S. R. GUIN, Jim HUGHES, S. C. LOWE, R. T. LOWE, Minoree NORTHCUT, Mary Ellen BROWN, Mrs. O. E. HUGHES, Mancy GUIN, I. R. FREE, Amanda FREE, and Agnes PEARCE. The names of the other two are not given. A wooden building was the first built and served until 1927 when the present building was erected. In 1937 a beautiful parsonage was built.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 4 MOUNT CARMEL PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1914 Mt. Carmel Primitive Baptist Church was establish(sic) in 1914. Rev. Otho HARRIS preaches there every 2nd Sunday and Rev. W. R. TICE preaches every 4th Sunday, Memorial Day with dinner on the ground is every 4th Sunday in May.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 4 BRILLIANT CHURCH OF GOD WAS ORGANIZED IN 1969 The Brilliant Church of God located one block above the Brilliant High School was organized Feb. 2, 1969 with seven charter members. Bro. Willard ASHMORE was pastor at this time. The local union hall served as a meeting place until the church started construction of a basement area which serves as Sunday School classes and a large kitchen and fellowship hall. Bro. Ralph RAMEY was pastor when the church was completed and dedicated. The Alabama State Overseer James A. CROSS held a dedication service Aug. 1973.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 3 MARION COUNTY HAS SIX HIGH SCHOOLS There are six high schools in the county and they are located at Hamilton, Guin, Winfield, Brilliant, Hackleburg and Bear Creek. Four junior high schools are located in the county at Byrd, Gravel Springs, Wiginton, and Buttahatchee. The 16 elementary schools are located at: Sunnyside, Shiloh, New Home, Craft, Old Union, Burleson, Sunny Home, Mt. Olive, Liberty, Brookside, Sugar Bend, and one at each of the junior high and senior high centers. There are also 2 colored school located at Guin and Ada Hanna with an enrollment of 196. The total enrollment of the white schools is 4903 (This does not include Winfield as it has an independent school district.). One hundred and seventy five teachers are employed in the county system. Fourteen have M. A. Degrees, 99 B S. degrees and 62 with less training (Winfield not included). The county operates 65 school buses and transports 4832 children (Including Winfield). There are 15 lunchrooms and 7 veterans training teachers. School bus transportation was started in the county in 1927 when T. D. BROOKS was Superintendent. In 1942 the county purchased 60 school buses and built a bus shop at a cost of about $150,000. E. W. BRANYON was Superintendent at that time.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 3 MRS. MATTIE EARNEST WAS SCHOOL TEACHER WINFIELD-Mrs. Mattie EARNEST, wife of the late Dr. Linwood EARNEST, taught in the first school of the town under the principalship of a Mr. GARRET. She began teaching in 1889 as Miss Mattie WESSON. One of her pupils was Jesse COUCH. This first school was a plank building with one large room, that was built with funds raised by the citizens. John WINDON was believed to be the next teacher in the same building until it burned in 1893. School was held in churches until early 1900. The third school building was built near the present Chiropractic Clinic and in this school Mrs. R. E. MOORE, Sr., then Miss Jennie Lee REESE began her teaching career in Winfield in 1908. Mrs. O. W. ODEN, then Miss Nona EZZELL began teaching in this same school in 1914. This early grade school wa a two-story building and C. R. WELDON was principal. C. D. HUGHES and Mrs. Fannie BEEKER were teachers. Principal WELDON was instrumental in getting the building constructed which burned in 1951. The new and present one was built in 1951 and opened for use in August, 1952. Mr. William MOORE came to Winfield in 1923 and served as principal of the Elementary and High School for twelve years. the present Winfield High School was built in 1925, with Mr. MOORE as the first principal and Miss Zora ELLIS, a past A. E. A. President, taught in its first term.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 3 MARION COUNTY CREATED IN DECEMBER OF 1818 Marion County was created as one of the counties of the Alabama Territory on December 13, 1818. When first created, the county included all the territory east of the headwaters of the Tombigbee River from its source near the Franklin County line, to a point of northern Clark County on this river. Then it extended up to the Warrior River to a point north of Tuscaloosa, then in the northwest direction to the southern boundary of Franklin County, then west of the Tombigbee River. In 1820 the Legislature changed the boundaries from a line near Columbus, Mississippi, east to the Warrior River and to the Jefferson County line, then north of the southeastern corner of Lawrence County or all the territory west of Blount County. The county was further reduced in size in 1824 by the formation of Fayette and Walker Counties, in 1850 by Winston and in 1866 by the formation of Lamar County. The county was named from General Francis Marion of South Carolina. In the Revolutionary War he was known as the Swamp Fox.

Looking for the Webb family in Fayette county around 1890's.

The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 3 BRILLIANT LEGION BEGAN IN 1951 The Brilliant-Boston American Legion Auxiliary, Post 163, was organized October 1951, according to Mrs. Minnie FIELDS, who supplied the history of the organization. Mrs. Minnie FIELDS, Mrs. Ernestine SHIRLEY, Mrs. Clifton JONES, Mrs. Cassie SHIRLEY, Mrs. Elaine FIELDS, Mrs. Jack COTTON, Mrs. Vera HULSEY, Mrs. Modine STOMPS, Mrs. Luther COTTON, Mrs. Edith WHITE, and Mrs. Christine VICKERY were the charter members of the auxiliary. Mrs. Minnie FIELDS served as president, temporarily, when the group was first organized. The other presidents in the order in which they served have been: Mrs. Ernestine SHIRLEY, Mrs. Louie COTTON, Mrs. Modine STOMPS, Mrs. Oscar GREEN and Mrs. Luther COTTON and others throughout the years. Their projects have been numerous, including helping with equipment such as ice box and drapes for the Legion Home, the sponsoring of a Christmas program for over one hundred under-privileged children, giving one child a wheelchair; the sponsoring of the Crippled Children's Drive, aid to the school lunchroom and to needy school children and the sponsoring of the welcome for prisoners of War. They also serve actively in any and every project of community service.