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Around Town
April 26, 2016 - Larry Black Shares Lawsonville History and Miles Cemetery Restoration with TAGHS
Even with the advent of the internet and the ability to search records online, genealogical research is often difficult. African American genealogy is doubly challenging because slaves were usually not identified in the census and birth and death records were seldom kept. San Antonio resident and retired Air Force veteran A. W. “Larry” Black has not been deterred by these challenges as he has sought to learn more about his ancestors, many of whom came to Rusk County as slaves.
A native of Lawsonville, a mostly disappeared community in southeast Rusk County, just north of Concord, Mr. Black was introduced to genealogy by a neice. Mr. Black's father had told him that their ancestors came from Alabama by way of Louisiana in 1857 as the slaves of Benjamin Franklin Miles, who settled near Lawsonville and started a plantation. Mr. Black's research bore this out and revealed the existence of the Miles Cemetery somewhere near Lawsonville, where the Miles and many of their slaves are buried. Mr. Black's brother said that he believed he knew where the cemetery, now located on private property and unkept, was located. Permission was granted by the current landowner, who knew the cemetery's location but nothing of its history, for them to visit the graveyard. Accompanied by the landowner, they eventually came to an overgrown old cemetery, surrounded by an iron fence, about ¾ of a mile back in the woods.
Inside the fenced 30' by 50', plot Mr. Black and his party were excited to find several fine headstones, the largest of which was that of Dr. Albert B. Miles, son of Benjamin Franklin Miles, who died in 1894. Nearby stood a number of other impressive markers, including that of Benjamin Franklin Miles, who had been interred there in 1864. Further searching of the area outside the fence revealed many additional but more modest markers. Some of these bore the names of persons known to have been slaves. Others were unmarked. Mr. Black had a burning desire to see the historical cemetery restored. The landowner, pleased to know who the people who were buried on his property were consented, with the stipulation that no large trees be cut.
That was eight years ago and the Miles Cemetery looks much different today. Mr. Black has made frequent trips from San Antonio, returning to the graveyard and, with the aid of family members and volunteers who must be taken to the site on a trailer, clearing away brush and small trees. 46 graves are now known, 26 with names, and more are being discovered with each visit. Mr. Black says he 
always offers a prize to the person who finds the most additional graves on each visit and his pride in what has been accomplished is obvious. “ I admire the people buried in that cemetery for what they did in the past. We work there now to honor them and have fun” he says. The group will return to do additional work on October 8 and invites anyone who would like to help to join them. Mr. Black may be contacted at awblack1945@yahoo.com for more information.
TAGHS meets at 2pm on the third Wednesday of each month in the Meeting Room of the Timpson Public Library, located on the corner of Austin and Bremond streets. The public is invited.
April 25, 2016 - The first Jon, Macy, Misty Bush Foundation Talent Show was held Saturday, April 23, 2016 with 16 talented acts performing in various ways such as dance, hula-hoop, and singing. Joann Bush announced the People's Choice award winner to be Charity Tinner who sang a praise song. First runner up singing and dancing to Safe and Sound version by Capital Cities was John Austin Ford. Second runner up who also performed a praise song was Haley Hass. Third runner up was Trinity Sims who won the audiences heart with her hula-hoop routine to hokey pokey.
All the performers were winners because of their participation in the talent show which was a fundraiser for the J.M.M. Bush Foundation which helps children with major medical needs. The foundation also has a mission to help find a cure for a life-threatening illness called Juvenile Dermatomyositis which is a disease effecting every muscle in the body. It is not known why or how this disease starts and there is no known cure for this crippling deadly disease. To learn more about the J.M.M. Bush Foundation or find out how to make a donation, visit them online at http://www.jmmbush.org/
April 25, 2016 - Thank you to all who participated in the Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center annual butterfly release. We are grateful that you chose to be a part of this truly wonderful event! The butterfly release is an opportunity for our community to contribute their time to raising awareness of child abuse. Together we CAN protect our children, stop abuse, and build a strong and prosperous future for our community. We are thankful to have the continued support of such a caring and dedicated community.
April 20, 2016 -Spring is in the air and it is book sale time again at the Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library! If you missed the Fannie Brown Booth Library fall book sale, don't miss this one! Tuesday, April 26th - Saturday, April 30th during regular library hours.
Library is closed on Monday and open Tuesday through Thursday 10am -6pm, Friday 10am-5pm, and Saturday 10am-2pm.
April 25, 2016 - A sea of books CDs, and other media awaits you at the semi-annual book sale at the Fannie Brown Booth Library at 916 Tenaha St. The sale, starting Tuesday (April 26th) at 10 a.m. and running through Saturday, sells paperback books for 50 cents, while hardbacks cost $1. You can find thrillers, romances, western, craft, gardening, sci-fi, novels, how-to books, Christian and children's books--just to name a few categories.
The proceeds from the sale are used for the purchase of new books and media. Stop in for the fun next week!
April 24, 2016 - (Album) - The Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center (SCCAC) hosted their annual Butterfly Release at the Community House in Center Friday, April 22, 2016, in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month. An opening prayer was led by Luke Garrett who was followed by Steven Shires, Shelby County Assistant District Attorney and SCCAC board member, who acted as the master of ceremonies.
Shires recognized members of the SCCAC board, and Court Appointed Special Advocate representatives who were present for the event. Once everyone had a butterfly envelope Shires counted down and 120 butterflies were released into the sky.
April 23, 2016 - I would like to thank Hillcrest Baptist Church and every individual and every business involved in sponsoring and bringing to life the 2016 Shelby County Senior Prom. It was a life-affirming and heart-warming event. Thank all of you who worked so hard to pull off this wonderful gathering. The seniors enjoyed this day so much!
Thank you,
Pamela Vance (grateful daughter of a mom from Holiday Nursing Center)
April 22, 2015 - Green Acres of Center would like to say thank you to everyone in the community that gave their support to the Shelby County Senior Prom. We would like to give a BIG 'Thank You' to the folks at Goodwill and the Shelby County Outreach for allowing us to borrow all the formal wear. A special thanks to Elizabeth at Center Floral for her donation of the Flowers presented to the King and Queen.
April 21, 2016 - The Center Women’s Reading Club met in the Reddit Room at the Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library on April 7, 2016. Mrs. Dottie West was the hostess as well as program leader. President Janene Walker welcomed members.
After a brief business meeting, Dottie West presented the book Joan of Arc: A Life Transfigured, by Kathryn Harrison. It is the story of a peasant teenage girl, with voices in her head and courage in her heart who, 600 years ago, rallied the French army and the people against the English and placed King Charles VII on the throne.
Joan was born in 1412, in northeastern France to poor tenant farmers. At the time of Joan’s birth, France was in the middle of the long-running war with England known as The Hundred Years’ War. By the early 15th century, northern France was a lawless frontier of marauding armies. Living in an agricultural community such as where Joan and her family lived, they did not have the protection and defense of those living in the walled cities. Therefore, armies, both English and French, threatened them, constantly.
Joan’s family was Catholic. Her mother was especially devout. Joan learned piety and domestic skills from her mother. Around the age of 12 or 13, Joan apparently began hearing voices and experiencing visions, which she interpreted as signs from God. At first the visions encouraged her to attend church and lead a pious life. Over time, they became more vivid and the Saints Michael and Catherine designated her as the savior of France. The Saints encouraged her to seek an audience with Charles, the heir to the throne, and ask his permission to expel the English and install him as the rightful King.
The Saints also instructed her to first meet with a commander and supporter of Charles. At first the Commander refused to meet her, but after seeing that she was gaining the approval of villagers her gave her a horse and an escort of several soldiers to go meet Charles. It was suggested that Joan dress more like a soldier and less like a peasant girl when meeting Charles, so Joan, cropped her hair and dressed in men’s clothes for her journey to Charles’ court.
At first, Charles did not know what to think of this peasant girl who claimed she would lead him to the throne. Prominent theologians examined and interrogated her. They reported that she was very pious and very smart.
Finally, Charles gave Joan armor and a horse and allowed her to accompany the army to Orleans, the site of an English siege. The French troops took control of the English fortifications. The people of Orleans were so excited to see her, they had to touch her and touch her horse. And during all the battles, Joan remained devout, attending Mass before or after every battle.
Charles was later crowned King of France and Joan was at his side.
A year later, Joan was thrown from her horse while in battle and captured by the enemy. She was tried in an English stronghold by an ecclesiastical court. King Charles did nothing to obtain her release. There were many charges against her including, sorcery and horse theft, but she was eventually found guilty of wearing men’s clothes and claiming God had directly contacted her. She was burned at the stake in the marketplace of Rouen, in 1431. She was 19 years old.
After her death, the Hundred Year War continued for another 22 years. In 1456, King Charles ordered an investigation into her case that declared Joan of Arc to be officially innocent of all charges and designated as a martyr. She was canonized as a saint on May 16, 1920, and is the patron saint of France.
Mrs. West served delicious refreshments and a time of fellowship followed the program.
The Center Women’s Reading Club will be joining the Carthage Book Club on April 21, 2016. They will listen to author Gae Lynn Woods speak. They will meet at the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. Lunch will follow at the Bistro. This lovely event will take the place of the regularly scheduled April 21st meeting.
Submitted by Deborah Chadwick
April 21, 2016 - Shelly Norvell, Center Elementary School Administrator, was the lucky winner of a custom built table from Back Country Furniture and Designs yesterday evening, April 20th during the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Teacher Appreciation Reception.
Norvell was excited about her door prize and humbled expressing she had wished one of her teachers would have won because it was their day of recognition. The Center elementary teachers attending the reception were delighted Norvell won and all of them gathered around the custom table for a photo.
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