As long as I have been tracing my family, I have run across many names of importance given to different family members. Such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Grover Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison, and James Monroe. But the most memorable is one such person in my Kilgore line known as Francis Marion. He was born on May 18, 1838 in Putnam County but he had lived in Murray County his entire life. He was born to Abner C Kilgore and Martha Scott and he is the brother of my second great grandfather, Alfred J. Kilgore.
He married Miss Susan Aline Carter in 1861 and started to raise a family when the War between the States broke out. Being the good Southerner that he was, he joined the Confederacy. Company A, Georgia 39th Infantry Regiment on March 10, 1862 as a private. Was appointed a Corporal on the Roll for April 30, 1864. He surrendered at Appomattox on April 9, 1865. But pension records states that he surrendered at Kingston, GA May 12, 1865.
But the most interesting thing of his life that I found was an unusual nickname he obtained while returning to Georgia sometime during the war. The legend says that he had to swim across a river to escape Union soldiers, As he had tired very quickly, he resigned himself to drowning only to find himself on a sandbar in about 2 feet of water. He was able to rest and wade out of the river. He was so elated that he did not drown, that he made quite a bit of noise coming through the woods. His companions stated that they thought it might be a panther or maybe a tiger therefore, "Tiger." The nickname stuck until the day he died.
One storyteller said that he never knew of any tigers being in this area but I can witness to the effect of panthers being in Georgia and their running through the woods is quite a scary experience. I am sure that there is no difference between the sound of running tigers or panthers or bobcats. Besides, after the boys had been fighting for months, anything in the woods would be reason to be scared. No matter how brave our men appear to be, I am pretty sure that some things would scare them.
Francis Marion Kilgore died in 1911 and both him and his wife are buried in Spring Place Cemetery, Murray County, Georgia.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
POEM "NO CHARGE"
As I sat reading my Bible this morning, a thought came to my mind of a poem I had written about 20 years ago. Even though I was a born again Christian, since I was 15 years old, I hadn't been growing in the Lord. I was going to church and even singing with a quartet. We were doing a radio broadcast every Sunday at 1:00 with prayer requests for every need. Yet I was at a stand still in growing in the word. I wasn't reading my bible everyday. I used every excuse in the world about reading. Not enough time, I had to work, I was taking care of grandchildren, even my house burnt. All of these things were of the devil trying to draw me away from God. And then my supervisor at work came at me and told me that I could not keep my Bible at work, I had to take it home. I refused this, I told him that on my break time, I could read anything. Then I told him if I had to take my Bible home, he had better get rid of all his fishing magazines. It is a wonder that he didn't fire me on the spot. Yet I kept my job and one day as I sat reading on my lunch break, these words came to me.
"NO CHARGE"
Long ago on a hill called Calvary
three men were nailed to a tree.
Now two of these men were guilty of sin,
but the other was pure as could be.
Oh why did He go through that painful death
for a sinner as vile as me?
He was God's dearest lamb, yet He shed His blood,
so that you and I could go free.
As the blood flowed down the hill that day,
He prayed, Oh Father forgive.
I can never repay all the love that He had
when He died just so I could live.
If I stumble and fall on the paths of life
His strong hands pick me up again.
For the Son of God showed mercy on me
and now He's my dearest friend.
So what do I owe for your crown of thorns
and the mocking of You every day?
What do I owe for Your nail-scared hands
that carry me all the way?
What do I owe for Your precious blood
that was shed on that cruel tree?
From His home in the sky, my Jesus replies
"NO CHARGE, no charge for thee."
I knew that God gave me these words for a reason, I just didn't know when to use them. I found an inspirational magazine that published some poems for free so I sent it to them and it was read by a few people in the south. Yet I didn't get the response that I thought it deserved. So I quit writing for a while. Then one day a cousin of mine told me that I needed to write down all the family stories that I remembered so others could read them. I found out that you can write a blog on the Internet so I begin to put some legs on all my thoughts and words. I recently got an e-mail form a distant cousin who enjoyed all my stories. It lifted me in my spirits and the Lord let me know quickly. You do not charge for the things I give you. They are free. So many people want to put a monetary value on anything they do. God's love is free. And so is mine. Therefore I will continue to write for the pleasure it gives me and hope somewhere along the way that you get a blessing. And remember, it is from God, not me. He just gives me the words and I write them down.
"NO CHARGE"
Long ago on a hill called Calvary
three men were nailed to a tree.
Now two of these men were guilty of sin,
but the other was pure as could be.
Oh why did He go through that painful death
for a sinner as vile as me?
He was God's dearest lamb, yet He shed His blood,
so that you and I could go free.
As the blood flowed down the hill that day,
He prayed, Oh Father forgive.
I can never repay all the love that He had
when He died just so I could live.
If I stumble and fall on the paths of life
His strong hands pick me up again.
For the Son of God showed mercy on me
and now He's my dearest friend.
So what do I owe for your crown of thorns
and the mocking of You every day?
What do I owe for Your nail-scared hands
that carry me all the way?
What do I owe for Your precious blood
that was shed on that cruel tree?
From His home in the sky, my Jesus replies
"NO CHARGE, no charge for thee."
I knew that God gave me these words for a reason, I just didn't know when to use them. I found an inspirational magazine that published some poems for free so I sent it to them and it was read by a few people in the south. Yet I didn't get the response that I thought it deserved. So I quit writing for a while. Then one day a cousin of mine told me that I needed to write down all the family stories that I remembered so others could read them. I found out that you can write a blog on the Internet so I begin to put some legs on all my thoughts and words. I recently got an e-mail form a distant cousin who enjoyed all my stories. It lifted me in my spirits and the Lord let me know quickly. You do not charge for the things I give you. They are free. So many people want to put a monetary value on anything they do. God's love is free. And so is mine. Therefore I will continue to write for the pleasure it gives me and hope somewhere along the way that you get a blessing. And remember, it is from God, not me. He just gives me the words and I write them down.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
MY PAINTED ROCK
As I read my devotional this morning pertaining to a verse from Joshua, it brought to mind a story I had read in Guideposts. It told about a man who painted rocks with scriptures on them and sold them in a gift shop. A few years ago, I was into painting. Shirts, plates, cups, sticks and rocks, I painted anything that came to my mind. After reading the article, I decided that I would paint a rock with a verse of scripture. So here is what happened.
I preceded to travel to a creek in Sugar Valley where I knew that I could get some rocks for this purpose. I had been to this creek many times, as it was on the property of my friend, Clarence Ghorley. We used it often for baptizing. You just had to keep an eye out for snakes. I should know this as it is called Snake Creek Gap. Many rattlers have been killed at this location. I think one year, Clarence said that he had killed about 23 of different sizes.
Well it took a while to find the right one while I kept an eye out for snakes. I am deathly afraid of these particular varmints. We killed one in my home once but that is another story for me to tell. There were plenty of big rocks but not flat rocks in just the right shape that I wanted it to be.. After finding my rock, I came home and washed the rock to remove all the mud and debree. I waited until the next day for the painting because I wanted to get gold paint for this rock. I have always thought of gold as being a royal color. Then I decided to put two coats on the rock in case of scratches and each coat had to be thoroughly dry. When I got to the painting of the scripture, it didn't turn out like I wanted it to, so what I got was a mish-mash of printing big and little letters. Then I had a nudge from the Lord. "Why are you trying to made it perfect?" What an eye opener. Nothing is perfect in this world except GOD. So my messed up rock is on the front porch by the door with these words. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15
I want all people who come to my door to know that we are Christians. I hope we show it in word as well as deed and with a little humor to boot.
I preceded to travel to a creek in Sugar Valley where I knew that I could get some rocks for this purpose. I had been to this creek many times, as it was on the property of my friend, Clarence Ghorley. We used it often for baptizing. You just had to keep an eye out for snakes. I should know this as it is called Snake Creek Gap. Many rattlers have been killed at this location. I think one year, Clarence said that he had killed about 23 of different sizes.
Well it took a while to find the right one while I kept an eye out for snakes. I am deathly afraid of these particular varmints. We killed one in my home once but that is another story for me to tell. There were plenty of big rocks but not flat rocks in just the right shape that I wanted it to be.. After finding my rock, I came home and washed the rock to remove all the mud and debree. I waited until the next day for the painting because I wanted to get gold paint for this rock. I have always thought of gold as being a royal color. Then I decided to put two coats on the rock in case of scratches and each coat had to be thoroughly dry. When I got to the painting of the scripture, it didn't turn out like I wanted it to, so what I got was a mish-mash of printing big and little letters. Then I had a nudge from the Lord. "Why are you trying to made it perfect?" What an eye opener. Nothing is perfect in this world except GOD. So my messed up rock is on the front porch by the door with these words. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15
I want all people who come to my door to know that we are Christians. I hope we show it in word as well as deed and with a little humor to boot.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
"PEGGY'S HOUSE"
As I was reading Facebook the other day. I came across a Blog that interested me about an establishment in Rome in my youth. "Peggy's." It brought to mind a episode of when I was about 15 years old. My mom had a beauty shop in North Rome and had quite a bit of clientele. One particular person was a young woman who came every week to have her hair done for the week-end. Once a month, she would have a touch-up of her roots. Her hair was a gorgeous color of platinum blond. Over time, her name has slipped my mind, but her order of lunch still remains with me as I was the one to walk to the Drug Store soda shop to bring it back. Always the same, grilled cheese sandwich with dill pickle slices, potato chips and a fountain coke with extra ice. She would give me a $10 bill and when I returned, she would let me keep the change. I had spending money all summer. Over a few weeks, I learned that she was an employee of "Peggy's." She had a boyfriend who used her for money as he didn't work. I won't reveal his name as I attended school with his brother and sister. He told me this when he found out that I went to East Rome. Sometimes he would bring her to the shop but mostly she rode in a cab. Then he would come by to get money. He would be going to a bootlegger in East Rome to get white whiskey. He would bring her back a drink and keep the change. Sometimes, he would buy two bottles, bring her one and keep the other. This was a lot for a 15-year-old to comprehend. I couldn't even tell anyone about this or my mom would lose her patronage. And her tips were great. Sometimes, she would even have her nails done. My mom had learned this at Beauty School as well as facials. It was an all round shop.
Now I knew where "Peggy's" was located as just about every other person in Rome. Across the street from the fairgrounds. Most anytime that I would drive by, your could see the location. I would take East First Street up to 5 points and turn across what is now MLK Blvd to get to Kingston Hwy going to my aunt's house. In the day time, the parking lot would be empty but at night, it was full. Sometimes I would even recognize a few cars. That would be my secret. The only way to keep a secret, is if I don't tell. Two people will not keep a secret. At the end of the summer, my mom was killed in an automobile accident and I went to live with my dad. I never saw her again but I remember that flowers were sent to the funeral and I recognized the name's. I only hope that a thank you card was sent to them in their remembrance of my mom. Later in my life, I wondered what would make a young girl like her turn to that old profession. So poor to need the money, or abused as a child, or maybe she was homeless. We don't know what her situation was and why she was in that location. "Walk a mile in my shoes." Except for a loving family, I could have been homeless. Always be open to people and not judge them until you know all the circumstances and situations. There is an old saying, "There but for the Grace of GOD go I." So often we are quick to judge. My dad always said to clean off your own back porch before you start to clean someone else's.
The following story is from the blog called "Peggy's." The initials at the end of the story are MWH. All credit goes the that person for all her work in searching out this story.
http://peggyshouse.blogspot.com/
I am attempting to write a book about a curious yet elusive woman in a small north Georgia town who managed to run a successful up-scale house of prostitution for over thirty years. Peggy Stone Sneed was an uneducated country girl from an area called the 'Prospect Community' near Centre, Alabama. She came to Rome, Georgia as a young woman to work in the Celanese Mill by day, and began moonlighting in a local 'house' by night. It was said that she was exceptionally beautiful and many of the men at the plant tried to get close to her with no success whatsoever. It wasn't until one of them discovered her at her night job that it was understood why, so those who's hopes had been dashed time and again, found that there was another way to get to know her.
Over time, she supposedly earned enough money to start her own business and she left the plant to open up her own house. It was said that her business sense was remarkable. She ran a tight ship and her girls had frequent medical attention and were 'guaranteed safe'. On one rare occasion when a client did come down with an embarrassing 'condition', Peggy made good on her word by covering all of his medical costs.
Local business, such as dress store owners, grocers, and pharmacists catered to the cash paying Madam by bringing goods to her house for purchase. She kept a side business during prohibition of selling beer and Cuban rum - all without consequences. It was said that hers was a clearing house for girls from Cuba and the west coast so her house was constantly full of fresh faces. She also had a suspicious amount of property in the Virgin Islands as well as in Floyd County.
Most remarkable of all is that Peggy's was well known nationally and internationally and received no opposition from the local Police, local businesses or even the local women. Everyone looked the other way and accepted the house as a part of the community - peacefully. This is a phenomenon that has not occurred before or since. My question is why? What made Peggy different? From her signature pink clothing and hair to her signature pink French poodle, she stood out and hasn't been forgotten these long years.
I have been collecting all sorts of amusing stories about this woman and her house and I am posting here to collect more. Everything you read here is pure here say, I admit it! I have a great start but there are just as many new questions being raised as there are answers. If you have any sort of anecdote about her or the house, please post them. I even take second and third hand stories...and your name won't be used. From the blog, Peggy's in North Rome.
http://peggyshouse.blogspot.com/
Now I knew where "Peggy's" was located as just about every other person in Rome. Across the street from the fairgrounds. Most anytime that I would drive by, your could see the location. I would take East First Street up to 5 points and turn across what is now MLK Blvd to get to Kingston Hwy going to my aunt's house. In the day time, the parking lot would be empty but at night, it was full. Sometimes I would even recognize a few cars. That would be my secret. The only way to keep a secret, is if I don't tell. Two people will not keep a secret. At the end of the summer, my mom was killed in an automobile accident and I went to live with my dad. I never saw her again but I remember that flowers were sent to the funeral and I recognized the name's. I only hope that a thank you card was sent to them in their remembrance of my mom. Later in my life, I wondered what would make a young girl like her turn to that old profession. So poor to need the money, or abused as a child, or maybe she was homeless. We don't know what her situation was and why she was in that location. "Walk a mile in my shoes." Except for a loving family, I could have been homeless. Always be open to people and not judge them until you know all the circumstances and situations. There is an old saying, "There but for the Grace of GOD go I." So often we are quick to judge. My dad always said to clean off your own back porch before you start to clean someone else's.
The following story is from the blog called "Peggy's." The initials at the end of the story are MWH. All credit goes the that person for all her work in searching out this story.
http://peggyshouse.blogspot.com/
I am attempting to write a book about a curious yet elusive woman in a small north Georgia town who managed to run a successful up-scale house of prostitution for over thirty years. Peggy Stone Sneed was an uneducated country girl from an area called the 'Prospect Community' near Centre, Alabama. She came to Rome, Georgia as a young woman to work in the Celanese Mill by day, and began moonlighting in a local 'house' by night. It was said that she was exceptionally beautiful and many of the men at the plant tried to get close to her with no success whatsoever. It wasn't until one of them discovered her at her night job that it was understood why, so those who's hopes had been dashed time and again, found that there was another way to get to know her.
Over time, she supposedly earned enough money to start her own business and she left the plant to open up her own house. It was said that her business sense was remarkable. She ran a tight ship and her girls had frequent medical attention and were 'guaranteed safe'. On one rare occasion when a client did come down with an embarrassing 'condition', Peggy made good on her word by covering all of his medical costs.
Local business, such as dress store owners, grocers, and pharmacists catered to the cash paying Madam by bringing goods to her house for purchase. She kept a side business during prohibition of selling beer and Cuban rum - all without consequences. It was said that hers was a clearing house for girls from Cuba and the west coast so her house was constantly full of fresh faces. She also had a suspicious amount of property in the Virgin Islands as well as in Floyd County.
Most remarkable of all is that Peggy's was well known nationally and internationally and received no opposition from the local Police, local businesses or even the local women. Everyone looked the other way and accepted the house as a part of the community - peacefully. This is a phenomenon that has not occurred before or since. My question is why? What made Peggy different? From her signature pink clothing and hair to her signature pink French poodle, she stood out and hasn't been forgotten these long years.
I have been collecting all sorts of amusing stories about this woman and her house and I am posting here to collect more. Everything you read here is pure here say, I admit it! I have a great start but there are just as many new questions being raised as there are answers. If you have any sort of anecdote about her or the house, please post them. I even take second and third hand stories...and your name won't be used. From the blog, Peggy's in North Rome.
http://peggyshouse.blogspot.com/
DEATH IN THE COMMUNITY-PAULA LOUISE KELLY
KJV-Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind. let each esteem others better than themselves. My daily devotional reads a little different-Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
On July 31, 2011-Paula Louise Kelly left this earth. Just a simple act of one driver in such a big hurry that he could not wait to go further down the road. This driver passed in an area that should not be used for passing on a 2-lane highway.Therefore, 2 people died. She was just 1/2 mile from home. This lady was my neighbor; a mother, grandmother, daughter, and wife. An aunt, cousin, and friend yet her life was cut short. 46 years old but she is no longer with us. Subsequently, a child died from the injuries. Why do we always think that we are better than others and do our own thing or be first all the time. We haven't earned any rights. We are only children of GOD by His Grace. By believing on Him and be washed in the Blood of the Lamb. Are we teaching our children this measure of faith? Is it our environment that causes us to behave this way? It might be what we see others do and copy their actions. Some call it "Road Rage." Others call it selfishness or vindictiveness. Yet in truth, we are spoiled children. We all want to do our own thing and 2 people are dead. I don't want to be this type of person. I want to have a little more patience and help someone along the way.
Father in Heaven, Please help me to over come my faults and failures. Let me be a better example for my children and grandchildren, to be humble and a servant for you. Amen.
The following is an obituary for Paula Louise Kelly:
Paula Whitener Kelly, 46, of Trimble Hollow Rd., Adairsville, Georgia, died July 31, 2011.
Paula was born June 16, 1965 in Bartow County, was employed at David's Auto Sales in Rome and was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Acworth.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Charlie and Margene Edwards and Albert and Zona Whitener.
Surviving are her children, Billy and Brandy Ford of Cohutta, Dana and Jorge Sanchez of Cartersville, Tiffany and Jason Turner of Calhoun, nine grandchildren, parents, Nancy and Jerry Thacker of Kingston, Paul and Annette Whitener of Adairsville, stepmother, Shelty Whitener of Cartersville, sister and brother in law, Donna and John McRobie of Tunnel Hill, brothers and sisters in law, Rev. Donnie and Carol Whitener and Morris and Elsa Whitener and Johnny Wilson, all of Cartersville and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. in the chapel of Owen Funeral Home with Rev. Jerry Boston and Rev. Donnie Whitener.
Burial will follow in Providence Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday evening from 4:00-9:00 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Michael Overton, Billy Ford, III, Morris Whitener, Lamar and Victor Crowe, Charles and Mark Gibson, Chris Borders and Rev. Louie G. Casey.
Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Drive, Cartersville, Georgia is in charge of the arrangements.
On July 31, 2011-Paula Louise Kelly left this earth. Just a simple act of one driver in such a big hurry that he could not wait to go further down the road. This driver passed in an area that should not be used for passing on a 2-lane highway.Therefore, 2 people died. She was just 1/2 mile from home. This lady was my neighbor; a mother, grandmother, daughter, and wife. An aunt, cousin, and friend yet her life was cut short. 46 years old but she is no longer with us. Subsequently, a child died from the injuries. Why do we always think that we are better than others and do our own thing or be first all the time. We haven't earned any rights. We are only children of GOD by His Grace. By believing on Him and be washed in the Blood of the Lamb. Are we teaching our children this measure of faith? Is it our environment that causes us to behave this way? It might be what we see others do and copy their actions. Some call it "Road Rage." Others call it selfishness or vindictiveness. Yet in truth, we are spoiled children. We all want to do our own thing and 2 people are dead. I don't want to be this type of person. I want to have a little more patience and help someone along the way.
Father in Heaven, Please help me to over come my faults and failures. Let me be a better example for my children and grandchildren, to be humble and a servant for you. Amen.
The following is an obituary for Paula Louise Kelly:
Paula Whitener Kelly, 46, of Trimble Hollow Rd., Adairsville, Georgia, died July 31, 2011.
Paula was born June 16, 1965 in Bartow County, was employed at David's Auto Sales in Rome and was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Acworth.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Charlie and Margene Edwards and Albert and Zona Whitener.
Surviving are her children, Billy and Brandy Ford of Cohutta, Dana and Jorge Sanchez of Cartersville, Tiffany and Jason Turner of Calhoun, nine grandchildren, parents, Nancy and Jerry Thacker of Kingston, Paul and Annette Whitener of Adairsville, stepmother, Shelty Whitener of Cartersville, sister and brother in law, Donna and John McRobie of Tunnel Hill, brothers and sisters in law, Rev. Donnie and Carol Whitener and Morris and Elsa Whitener and Johnny Wilson, all of Cartersville and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. in the chapel of Owen Funeral Home with Rev. Jerry Boston and Rev. Donnie Whitener.
Burial will follow in Providence Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday evening from 4:00-9:00 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Michael Overton, Billy Ford, III, Morris Whitener, Lamar and Victor Crowe, Charles and Mark Gibson, Chris Borders and Rev. Louie G. Casey.
Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Drive, Cartersville, Georgia is in charge of the arrangements.
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