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Former resident recalls Norcross back
in middle 1940s
By
Col. (Ret.) Clifford Jones Jr.
Special to GwinnettForum.com
(Editor's Note: The author spent several years
of his youth in Norcross, the son of an Army officer who retired
to his home of Norcross. The writer is a graduate of the U.S.
Military Academy, and had a 32-year career in the Army, then joined
private business in the Buffalo, N.Y. area. He lives in retirement
at Orchard Park, N.Y.-eeb)
SEPT. 11, 2007 -- In 1944, I arrived in Norcross at the age of
11. My father, Col. Clifford Jones Sr., had retired from the Army
after 41 years of service and decided to return to the home of his
youth.
For our home site, he selected a vacant city block bounded by Williams,
Autrey, Spike and Peachtree Streets, one block back from the railroad
and a five minute walk to downtown Norcross. In my brief life, I
had lived in three different cities and two military posts, but
Norcross was my first taste of "country" living. Norcross
village streets were mostly paved, but except for Highway 23, every
other road out of town was gravel, which made a bicycle trip out
to the Chattahoochee for a swim a real test of determination.
I remember those magnificent steam locomotives whistling through
on the Southern's double track main line. Daily excitement was being
at the station's mail transfer point when at full speed the mail
car attendant would launch the incoming mail bag at the platform,
and then extend the arm that would snatch the outgoing bag from
its rail-side tower. (Years later, when the Bank of Norcross had
become part of the C&S organization, this process would be repeated
when at the day's end, the C&S helicopter would collect the
day's transactions from a hoist over the bank on Peachtree Street.)
During the cotton harvest, it was fun to go to the gin and watch
the process. The picked cotton would arrive in mule-drawn wagons,
go through the most amazing series of whirring and clanking machines,
and roll out a huge bale of cotton. That was in the days when plant
foremen didn't worry much about kids roaming around rotating machinery.
That's was the way we learned about things. Cotton was really King
then. When the cotton was ready for picking, the Norcross school
suspended classes so that the farm kids could help get the crop
in.
There was about one of every kind of store: drug, feed, hardware,
grocery, dry goods, general, variety -- but four gas stations. We
had a serious blacksmith, an operational train station and a bank.
My father was for a number of years president of the bank. His desk
was immediately inside the front door, the first person a customer
would see on entering. The cashier, tellers and bookkeeper were
further in, behind the traditional counter … and that was the
bank. And finally, the Swan, a real motion picture theatre, was
opened. It showed feature films plus serials. (Editor's note: the
theatre was on the first floor of what is now the Masonic Lodge.)
Norcross had arrived!
I was a full time participant of the country culture of Norcross
from grade 5 through 7. Out of town school, and then a career away,
resulted in fewer and fewer trips home until finally there was no
connection left. My last real visit was in 2000 to buy my stepmother,
Mary Jones, age 99, a plot in the Norcross Cemetery. There she joined
my father, my grandparents, my great grandparents and a great uncle,
Hilliard Clarke Jones. (Hilliard was killed at age 10 by a stray
union bullet when a firefight between union and confederate forces
developed on my great grandfather's farm.)
I finally realized that Norcross had changed forever, when I bought
a Saab and in reading the literature that accompanied it, discovered
that the headquarters of Saab USA was….in Norcross.
Always positive, Dorsey Guthrie was native
who made good
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
SEPT. 11, 2007 -- Any time you ran across Gwinnett native Dorsey
Guthrie, you knew what the answer would be when you asked him how
he was doing. He'd shoot back: "Fine. Great. One hundred percent."
Dorsey was that way, always optimistic, outgoing and positive.
Brack |
Dorsey died last week of complications from two falls at his home
in Jefferson. He was age 92; however, the last time we saw him,
it was hard to figure he was that age. He was young in appearance
and outlook.
For the last 22 years, he and his wife of 66 years, Emily, lived
in Jefferson, where he never slowed into normal retirement, but
kept his hand into land development, civic work and church activities.
He was the guiding force behind the building of the Northminster
Assisted Living (now Bentley Assisted Living) facility near Jefferson,
one of his proudest projects. Many of his housing sub-divisions
were often built around a large lake for power boats for skiing.
All of these sub-divisions were enormously successful.
Guthrie |
Mr. Guthrie's grew up in rural Gwinnett's Sweetwater community,
the youngest of 12 children. He attended Monroe A&M, and later
Georgia Evening School in Atlanta, now Georgia State. His commercial
career was agriculture-related, primarily as a sales executive with
Ralston-Purina for years, including many years in Nashville, Tenn.
His nephew, Millard Bowen, tells a story that exhibits Dorsey Guthrie's
persistence. After interviewing for a job with Ralston-Purina, and
told that there were no jobs available with Purina, Mr. Guthrie
kept asking when they would hire him. Meeting the Purina executive
on the street one day, he finally said: "I'm coming to work
for your company. It's just a matter of time when you hire me."
His first job with Purina was bagging feed, and from there, he went
on up the ladder, finally emerging as a regional sales manager in
Nashville, Tenn.
After transferring to Atlanta, Mr. Guthrie beginning in the late
1950s, started assembling land for farming near what is now Northwoods
Country Club. The land, some 1,200 acres which he farmed with his
brother, extended nearly to Interstate 85. They often had field
days there, with Ralston Purina and John Deere putting on demonstrations.
Part of this land was sold for Castleview Golf and Country Club,
which opened in 1962, but went bankrupt soon. It was re-opened in
1963 as Northwoods Country Club, and Dorsey suggested Charlie Underwood
should work there. That began a 43 year stint for Underwood in the
country club business. "Dorsey gets credit for every success
I ever had," says Underwood. Mr. Guthrie had originally hired
him to work for Ralston Purina in Tampa, Fla.
But it was in his everyday living that Mr. Guthrie came across
as most genuine, as sincere, both kind and understanding. People
felt that they could talk to him on a person-to-person basis. Even
when entering into contracts with him on real estate transactions,
he liked the idea of handshake contracts and simplicity. His son-in-law,
a lawyer, told of Dorsey's continued admonishments to him about
writing those contracts: "Keep it simple. A few sentence or
paragraphs. These are good people and they'll pay."
Millard Bowen asked him to sum up, in a few words, what would be
important for him to share. "He thought a while, then said,
Millard, tell the truth. That's all I can tell you. Everything else
will work out if you tell the truth. Do that, and you don't have
to worry about anything else."
Dorsey Guthrie: 1915-2007: may you rest in peace.
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Ties
Iraqi war aspects with efforts of the South years ago
Editor, the Forum:
Congratulations to Georgia Public Broadcasting for their production
of "Georgia's Civil War." The program was well done and
held my interest while describing Georgians' personal perspectives
and the politics behind the military actions. One historical point
that I came away with was the desperate hope of the people in the
South to hold out until the North elected the Democratic peace candidate,
former commander of the Army of the Potomac, General George McClellan.
President Lincoln was under tremendous pressure to produce a significant
military victory in either Richmond or Atlanta before the upcoming
presidential elections. Union troops out-flanked the defending Confederates,
cut the rail lines from Macon, and that was that. Lincoln had his
victory and re-election, the Union was preserved, slavery was on
its way out, and the matter of secession was settled for all time.
Interesting parallels exist with our present situation in Iraq.
One, that our current situation in Iraq is not the first time that
elections have hinged on victory. The Democratic party has been
invested in defeat for the United States claiming that too many
people have died, the cost in lives was not worth it, and that the
war was not winnable. Second, ex-generals do not always know what
they are talking about. Third, a victory in Iraq will signal that
Islamic terrorism is on its way out. Lastly, a victory in Iraq will
give the Iraqis an opportunity to establish a lasting peace.
Yes, too many people have died in Iraq and the bitter cost of war
is why men should avoid it. Yet, the fruits of the Union victory
over the secessionists that we enjoy even today have provided us
with an appreciation of the cost in lives. Based upon this historical
parallel it is dangerous to claim that the fruits to be yielded
in Iraq will not be worth the cost.
-- Wayne Buchheit, Dacula
Dear Wayne: We suspect that not all our readers
will take your conclusions without comment. I myself will refrain
for the moment. -eeb
DOT to begin project to eliminate "suicide
lane" on U.S. 78
Georgia DOT announces site work will start Wednesday, September
12 on the project to remove the reversible lane system and widen
U.S. Highway 78 in Gwinnett County.
The projected completion date is November 30, 2009 and its cost
is over $31 million. Some of the features of the project include:
- Improved pedestrian access throughout the corridor with sidewalks
on each side of U.S. 78 and benches along the corridor;
- Internally illuminated street signs;
- Decorative black mast arms to support traffic signals;
- Three lanes in each direction of U.S. 78; and
- Removal of the reversible lane system.
Throughout the project DOT has partnered with Gwinnett County,
the City of Snellville and the Evermore CID. A groundbreaking ceremony
will be held Thursday, September 14 at 1 p.m. on U.S.. 78 in the
Mountain East Shopping Center, at 5295 U.S. 78. Featured Speakers
at the ceremony will include Georgia DOT Commissioner Harold Linnenkohl,
Gwinnett County Commissioner Mike Beaudreau, City of Snellville
Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer and Evermore CID Chairman Ken Shiver.
County seeks input
and ideas for new park near Meadowcreek
Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation will hold a public meeting
to get input and suggestions to assist in the design of a new park
in Gwinnett County located near the intersections of Beaver Ruin
Road, Satellite Boulevard and Interstate 85. Those attending will
fill out a "recreation desires" survey and have the opportunity
to submit applications to serve on a steering committee to assist
in the master planning of this park.
The meeting will be held on Thursday, September 27 at 7 p.m. at
the Meadowcreek High School Theater, 4455 Steve Reynolds Blvd. in
Norcross.
A continuing drive behind the vision of GCPR is citizen involvement
and participation in all areas of park planning. GCPR is working
to offer a balanced and variety of programs at different locations
in its inventory of 35 open parks, with more than a dozen planned
to open over the next four years.
Medical Auxiliary
plans $5 gift sale at Emory Eastside Hospital
A special sale of gift items from the Emory Eastside Medical Center
Gift Shop is coming up.
On September 21, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., the Forget-Me-Not Gift
shop, sponsored by Emory Eastside Medical Center Auxiliary Volunteers,
will be having a $5 jewelry sale. It will be in the lobby of the
visitor entrance . Shop for the holidays, birthdays, or any special
occasion . Proceeds will go to support local charities such as Gwinnett
Community Clinic. For more information, please call the Auxiliary
Volunteer Office, 770-736-2463. The hospital is at 1700 Medical
Way, Snellville.
Gwinnettians face
property tax deadline of September 15
Gwinnett County property tax bills, mailed in July, included payment
coupons and reply envelopes for two installment payments. The first
installment of Gwinnett County tax bills is due Sept. 15, 2007.
The bills, mailed in July, have a second installment amount deadline
of Nov. 15.
Gwinnett taxpayers may make their property tax payments in person
at two Tax Commissioner locations - the Property Tax Customer Service
Office, located in the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center
in Lawrenceville, and the Tax Commissioner's North Gwinnett Motor
Vehicle tag office, located on Mall of Georgia Boulevard in Buford.
Tax payments may be made over the telephone or by credit card or
e-check over the Internet (convenience fees apply for credit card
transactions). For customer assistance or to make payments by telephone,
contact (770) 822-8800. Customers may also e-mail tax@gwinnettcounty.com
or visit the Tax Commissioner's Web site at www.GwinnettTaxCommissioner.com.
Alliance
Theatre's Jacques Brel caberet play opens Sept. 26
The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta opens its Hertz Stage series with
the elegant and moving sounds of Jacques Brel presented in the style
of a Parisian cabaret. Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living
in Paris is one of the most enduring musical revues of all time
and promises a night of stirring emotion and romance on the most
intimate stage in Atlanta. Alliance Artistic Director Susan V. Booth
will direct in a radically reconfigured Hertz Stage where guests
will enjoy wine in a unique environment styled after a hot French
nightspot.
Opening Night is Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007 at 8 p.m. The Alliance
production will feature cocktail tables and couches, in addition
to standard seating, with multiple stage areas throughout the theatre
to provide a very up-close and personal experience with the actors.
Additionally, audience members will have the opportunity to purchase
a bottle of "Jacques Brel" wine from the bar, which is
a part of the set, to drink at their table.
Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at
2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sept.
21 - Oct. 28 on the Alliance Stage. The Sunday, Oct. 14 show at
2:30 p.m. will be Audio Described.
Tickets are $30 and $35 and are available at the Woodruff Arts
Center Box Office by calling 404.733.5000 or online at www.alliancetheatre.org.
Senator Shafer new
member of Southern States Energy Board
Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle has appointed State Sen. David Shafer of Duluth
as one of Georgia's three members of the Southern States Energy
Board.
Shafer |
The Board encourages interstate collaboration in the areas of environmental
protection, energy security and economic development. It provides
technical and policy assistance to state lawmakers and administers
federal research grants. Headquartered in Atlanta, it was created
in 1960 by an interstate compact sanctioned by the United States
Congress. Sixteen states and two territories belong to the compact.
The Board encourages interstate collaboration in the areas of environmental
protection, energy security and economic development. It provides
technical and policy assistance to state lawmakers and administers
federal research grants. The Board is composed of the governors
and two legislators from each member state and territory and one
federal representative appointed by the President.
The Southern States Energy Board Web site is: www.sseb.org.
- An invitation: What
Web sites, books or restaurants have you enjoyed? Send us your
best recent visit to a restaurant or most recent book you have
read along with a short paragraph as to why you liked it, plus
what book you plan to read next. --eeb
Chestnut
trees hit by blight; schools seek rebirth of species
Chestnut
tree |
Until the beginning of the 20th Century, the American
chestnut (Castanea dentata [Marshall] Borkh) was one
of the most prevalent and valuable trees in the eastern forests
of the United States. The chestnut blight fungus (Cryphonectria
parasitica), accidentally introduced around 1900, killed most
of the mature trees in the natural range of the species, and today
the species exists mainly as an understory shrub. Efforts currently
underway in Georgia and other states, however, may eventually result
in the restoration of American chestnut to eastern forests.
Before 1900 American chestnut was said to have composed up to one-quarter
of the standing trees of the Appalachian forest including the north
Georgia mountains, and in Georgia into the upper Piedmont. The trees
were especially dominant on higher mountain ridges and flats. They
grew very rapidly to heights of up to 100 feet, with trunks more
than 6 feet in diameter. Chestnut was more useful than any hardwood
in America, providing timber for houses, barns, and fences; tannin
for the leather industry; and nuts for people and wildlife.
The first documentation of chestnut blight in North America was
in 1904, when a forester noticed that the American chestnut trees
growing at the Bronx Zoo in New York City were dying. The blight
reached Georgia in the 1940s. American chestnut can still be found
in eastern forests today, because it continues to re-sprout from
surviving root systems in the soil. However, the tree rarely reaches
30 feet or produces nuts before it is attacked and killed by the
fungus.
The American Chestnut Foundation's backcross breeding program has
produced trees carrying blight-resistance genes from Chinese chestnut
but with a growth habit close to that of their American chestnut
parents, which supply 15/16 of their genome. Scientists at the University
of Georgia and at the State University of New York have produced
tissue cultures of American chestnut that are capable of producing
thousands of structures called somatic embryos. These resemble seed
embryos, can be germinated to produce seedlinglike plants. The embryogenic
cultures are being tested as target material for inserting potential
blight-resistance genes into American chestnut through genetic engineering.
In 2006 a stand of American chestnut trees, estimated to be between
20 and 30 years old, was discovered in Pine Mountain near Warm Springs.
Composed of six 40-foot-tall trees, the stand is the southernmost
representative of the species able to produce flowers and nuts.
Pollen from the trees is expected to help scientists produce a breed
resistant to the chestnut blight fungus.
If you can do that,
why, that's really writing!
"Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader
- not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained
upon."
-- Author, Historical Novelist, teacher and former editor
E.L. Doctorow (1931- ), via Cindy Evans, Duluth.
Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves
or comments on any issue to Gwinnett
Forum for future publication.
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