Subject: Columbus Augustus McConnell Recording

I transcribed the cassette recording that was taken on 2nd June 1978 at the home of Eula McConnell in Glenwood,Ga, between my Uncle Mack Chambers and Columbus A. McConnell:

Columbus A. McConnell was 94years old at the time of this recording and was living with his daughter, Eula.

Columbus Augustus McConnell, born 29 Mar 1884 in Wilkinson County, Ga. He married 1903 in Dexter, Laurens County, Ga to Laura Horne.

Laura Horne was born 20 Oct 1886 in Wilkinson County, Ga and died 17 Sep 1964, buried Popular Springs Cemetery North.

Columbus's parents:

Tom McConnell, born in Wilkinson County, Ga, died 1937 Macon, Bibb County, Ga. He married Visa Brewer, born Wilkinson County, Ga, died 1937 Wilkinson County, Ga.

Visa Brewer's father was killed by a soldier returning from the War at the end of the CSA. One Visa Brewer's brother's fought in the CSA. Her father did not fight in the CSA.

Columbus's grandparents:

Lark McConnell, may have been born in Ireland. The McConnell's came from Ireland. He died in Wilkinson County, Ga.

He married a Milly Major.

Lark had three sons that fought in the CSA.

During this taping, Eula is quoting some dates from a Family Bible with hand writing by her mother(Columbus's wife).

Six children of Columbus and Laura Horne McConnell:

All children born in Laurens County, Ga.(all the towns where they were living at time of recording)All his children raised in Laurens Co, Ga except Beatrice raised in Bibb County, Ga.

1. Addie Lou, b. 15 Nov 1904, lives in Gatesville, Ga.

2. Ula Mae b. 5 May 1907, also spelled Eula Mae.

3. Lewis L. b. 14 Sep 1909, also known as Birdie and Laurence L.

4. Dovie Ophelia, b. 2 Dec 1913, lives in Macon, Ga.

5. George Washington b. 24 Oct 1920, lives in Macon, Ga.

6. Beatrice, b. 13 Nov 1927, lives in Houston, Texas.

7 and 8. There were also two infants that died as infants. Probably born earlier than the

six above.

Columbus was born near Irwinton, Wilkinson County, Ga.

There is a family cemetery between Gordon and Irwinton, called the Gainey Cemetery!

At the age of abt 16yrs Columbus and family moved to Laurens County, Ga in Birginham(might be spelled different) District, north of Dublin.

At 19yrs old Columbus left home and went to Dexter, Ga where he meet his wife.

He nor any of his brothers served in the military.

There was a total of 7 boys and 6 girls in his family(brothers/sisters).

Columbus worked at Warner Robins as a night watchman for 22 years.

He was 45yrs old when he went to Bibb County, Ga.

He owned land around Dexter, Ga.

He had a sister named Tex, Clarkie, Virginia and Vera(Vera owned a home around Macon that was sold). He did not mention the rest of his brothers/sisters.

Other side of the tape recording:

Columbus was a farmer, rented till 1917, bought land in 1917. He quit farming in 1928, when he left to Macon, Ga. He owned what was called the "Original Bryant Place". He stated Hobbs owns the land now, 4 miles north of Dexter,Ga.

He had 4 to 5 years in Macon as bad times. He owned a grocery store in south Macon durng the depression. Worked the saw mill in summer. Winter time killed the hogs and peddled during the depression. He had a stock worth $89,000 dollars of the grocery store. Many of his customers charged their bills.

Sold loaf of bread for 10 cent. Sold sugar, rice, mill(from a barrell). All the goods were bought and sold. He did not farm what he sold. Eggs were sold 15-20 cents a dozen, he bought them for 10 cent a dozen.

Union soldiers came to their father's home around Wilkinson Co, Ga(about 30 miles from Macon and about 6 miles from Gordon, Ga) when his father was 14-15yrs old. They ransacked the place, took a saddle horse, bunch of chickens. Never was anything burned.

One of Columbus's Uncle's was on furlough at the time and was picked up by the Union soldiers and taken to a place called Point Lookout till the end of the CSA. He returned home at the end of the CSA. He was a handyman at the Point Lookout.

No one from Columbus' family volunteered for the Spanish-American War.

He stated he saw President Roosevelt one time in Petersburg, Pa. He escorted an Old CSA Veteran in 1937 to Petersburg,Pa and stayed there for 11 days. This was his only time he left the State of Georgia.

He went to Bermuda for 12 months doing construction work. He stated that was the best work he had ever done.

He took many mule and wagon trips between Dexter and Macon(about 50 miles) selling sorts of meats; ham was 15 cent, meat 10 cent and sausage 20 cent's pound.

Uncle Burn(Clarkie McConnell's son) mentioned," story of trying to buy eggs from a lady for 15 cents a dozen, she stated that that would not even cover for the ware and tare of the hen that laid the eggs."

Uncle Burn also mentioned, "I am afraid of another Hoover day."

They always had plenty to eat, especially milk and butter. Killed plenty hogs and put them in the smoke house. Hogs were killed in the winter time.

I wish he had mentioned more about his brothers and sisters, but that was all that was on the tape.

I hope this helps. The mention of Lark McConnell's wife as Milly Major(maiden name) was surprising. I was told that her maiden name was Etheridge!!! But again I would like to have proof in writing.