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We’re browsing in
the 1956 Moultrie Observer’s and learning about the beginnings of our post
office in Moultrie.
On May 1, 1952,
Ralph J. Williams was named acting postmaster and stayed in that position
until May 15, 1953 when Albert D. McKee was made postmaster. When the post
office in place in 1956 was built, Moultrie had a population of 6,700.
The building was intended to take care of the city’s growth for the next
30 years.
The City of Moultrie outgrew expectations and in 1956, the Chamber of
Commerce was working on a project to enlarge that 1956 building or to just
build a new one.
In 1956, mail volume averages 100,000 letters except for in December
when the total triples.
In 1956, the staff was Albert D. McKee who had worked with the USPS for
38 years at that time; J. H. Carithers, assistant postmaster, 42 years
service; R.J. Williams, superintendent of mails, 27 years; R.A. Summerford,
Sr., 43 years; P. W./ Pitts, 36 years service; P.W. Pitts, 36 years;
Nelson Linder, 21 years; J. Medford Gregory, 21 years; George W. May, 15
years service; Paul H. Barfield, nine years and Alvin H. Johnson, also
nine years. Clyde W. Horne had nine years and G. Chesley Ingram had seven
years service in 1956.
Regular carriers included W. C. Millsap, nine years service; R. A.
Summerford, Jr., nine years service; John P. Joines, eight years; Lowell
Schramm, six years and M.L. Monk, six years.
Substitute clerk-carriers included David Monk, Henry Willons, M.J.
Sorrell, Joe Wapelhorst; James Parker and Charles Willis.
In the same
newspaper as the story about the post office is a wonderful
photograph…unfortunately, too dark and blurred for reproduction…but it is
the Fourth of July celebration staged in Moultrie in 1905. Local and
Colquitt County leaders gathered together in a gigantic tribute to
American independence. The dress parade and inspection staged by the
Moultrie Rifles, state militia, on the east side of the courthouse “shows
part of the huge crowd estimated between 5,000 and 10,000.” The trains,
buggies and wagons arriving in Moultrie were packed with entire families.
A long military parade, led by the Fourth Regimental Band, was followed by
an address by Joe Hill Hall, Bibb County legislator and a barbeque dinner
for the Confederate veterans and several hundred militiamen from South
Georgia. The days’ activities were climaxed by a great sham battle on the
heights north of Moultrie. The “red letter day” in the community’s
history closed with a ball game. Moultrie defeated Dothan, Alabama 2-0
behind “Lucky” Loucks’ one-hitter.
At the turn of
the century in 1900, automobiles were looked upon more as a menace than a
lasting mode of transportation.
R. M. Morrison and Howard Ashburn appeared on the streets with the
first home-owned automobiles in 1905-1906.
In August of 1905, citizens complained that automobiles were “causing
an epidemic of automobilia” on roads north of Moultrie. Residents along
the road said that “cars have broken out like smallpox.” They said that
“children are being kept in, the pup tied up and the citizens are in fear
of accidents.”
One insurance company launched an investigation to determine if it any
longer could afford to insure persons who drive or rode in cars.
Moultrie did not take to car ownership with any enthusiasm until
1907-1908.
You are very
welcome to attend our
Braveheart Scottish Weekend coming up February 14, 15, 16, 2003!
We have a wonderful array of guests, programs, entertainment and food
planned for the weekend. Please visit http://electricscotland.com and go
to The Family Tree and then look on the right hand side of the page for a
complete program and registration forms.
If you’d like to pick up a registration form, just stop by the library
and I’ll be happy to tell you all about the plans and give you the
registration forms. |
