By Staff
I have been going through the bound volume of The Brewton Standard for 1945 and ran across a couple of funny items that were published. I thought they were worth retelling here. I hope you get a couple of laughs out of it and I think you will, especially if you knew either of the people involved.
In Larkins Garden Corn Grows Tall
by H.M. Williamson
Joe T. Larkins, manager of the local R.E.A. had on display a very tall stalk of corn (about 14 feet) that he grew in his garden. This stalk had a big ear and a “nubbin” about eight feet from the ground. It was labeled “Cobbs Creek Corn.”
This stalk created quite a bit of comment and aroused quite a bit of curiosity. Mr. Joe was questioned about this corn and following are some of his comments:
This stalk grew on an outside row. His corn on the inside rows was better. He decided at one time not to plan an outside row at all but needed the extra corn.
The night after he put nitrate of soda on this corn patch, the popping and snapping and groaning caused by the rapid growing of the corn disturbed the sleep of the neighbors and caused many complaints.
The chickens wandered into the patch and it was so dark that they “tore out” to the chicken house and went to roost thinking it was getting dark. They stayed on the roost until they realized their mistake. This was repeated several times.
There was an ear at every joint but they got knocked off in climbing up the stalk.
He has been besieged for seed by town farmers and finally sold the entire crop to R.M. Jernigan. He had to buy an eight-foot stepladder to harvest the corn.
September 27, 1945
Bob Finlay Has First Nickel He Ever Made; It’s Found After Being Lost For 36 Years
It may not have been true before, but it is now.
Bob Finlay has the first nickel he ever earned.
Back early in 1909, when Bob was about six years old, he helped move Robbins & McGowin company stock from the rear of the building now occupied by the Rutland Clothing company to the present Robbins and McGowin building.
That was the time when this now 54-year-old business was being moved into its then newly constructed building from its old quarters in the space now occupied by Rutland’s, Crook’s Cafe and the R.E.A. office.
His father, J.E. Finlay, gave him a bright new nickel for his services.
Bob had tough luck with that nickel. He dropped it into a sidewalk ventilator in front of the new store. But, during the 36 eventful years that have elapsed since—through elementary, high school and college and during 36 years service with the store, of which he is part owner—Bob never forgot it.
Last week, the vent was cleaned for the first time. Workers piled the accumulated trash and dirt in front of the store.
Bob fended off the workers while he got on his knee and sifted through the trash and dirt.
He found a dime but that wasn’t it. It was a nickel he lost. He knew that. And it was new at the time. Pay for a day’s work of helping with those goods. He doesn’t claim the job was worth any more.
Bob kept looking but was getting a little discouraged. He told his story to a passerby, who saw something shining in that small part of the trash that Bod hadn’t reached.
A nickel it was. Wiped clean, the date was clear. It was made in 1908, probably much less than a year before it was lost.
There was no doubt about that being it.
Now it will find a secure and permanent and more dignified resting place in Bob’s strong box.
A sidewalk ventilator never was any proper place for a prized possession like that!
I hope these have made you smile. Until next week, happy hunting.