Grips held everything from toiletries to treats

Who knew that the old time railroad men carried their toiletries, clothes and time papers in real macho overnight cases? Made of galvanized sheet steel, the “grips” as they were called had iron hinges, hasps for locking, and wooden handles. The one pictured below was probably fabricated in the L&N Sheet Metal Shop. John (Pete) Davis, L&N engineer for 50 years, always carried one of these to work. Upon his return from his run to Clarksville, his grandchildren remember looking forward to getting chewing gum from his grip. Source – Johnnie Davis Bickerstaff (granddaughter of John Davis). Submitted by Ray Harding.

Outstanding Alabama Athlete Enjoying Retirement in Paris

Who knew that Paris resident Laurien “Goobie” Stapp was on Paul “Bear” Bryant’s first football team at Alabama? Alabama native Stapp had declined Bryant’s offer to play for him at Texas A&M, preferring to play at Alabama. By Stapp’s freshman year, Bryant had moved to Alabama. Stapp played outstanding varsity ball for Bryant in 1958, '59, and '60. Weighing in at 160 pounds, he played quarterback, kicker, and offensive and defensive positions usually played by larger men. After a short time with the Baltimore Colts in 1961, Bryant called Stapp back to Alabama to coach the freshman team. One of the players he coached (apparently successfully) was future football legend Joe Namath. Today, Laurien is an avid hunter, but he also enjoys quiet pursuits including the creation of pottery at Lee Academy for the Arts. Source – Laurien Stapp; submitted by Ray Harding.

Treasured Hand Bell Now Housed at Lee School

Who knew that Lee School Principal Miss Charlie McGehee used an old time school hand bell to signal the end of each recess period? Now mounted on a wooden base with a descriptive brass plaque, the bell is a treasured memento that has been handed down to Miss Charlie's nephew, Dr. Larry McGehee. After Dr. McGehee’s passing, his widow Betsy donated the bell to the Lee School Association. It is now on display in Room 2, which had been Miss Charlie’s office. Submitted by Ray Harding.

Old Fashioned Christmas Toy Lands

Who knew that before shopping centers and “big box” stores, the selection of toys in local stores was limited during most of the year? Every year, from after Thanksgiving until year end, several Paris stores would stock a wide variety of toys and display them in special areas called “toy lands”. In addition to the toys for sale, there would be decorated trees, lots of cotton batting, and Santa. The toy land on the second floor of J.C. Penney was smaller, but in my memory similar to the display in the department store in the movie “A Christmas Story” (You’ll shoot your eye out, kid), which was set in the 1940’s. Submitted by Ray Harding.

The Meaning of Christmas

Who knew that a long-standing Christmas tradition at Lee School was for students to bring gifts of non-perishable food? The gifts were wrapped in white tissue paper and placed under a large Christmas tree set up at the “T” in the hall. When school was out for the holidays, the food was distributed by a method not divulged to us. Principal Miss Charlie McGehee was always aware of the home situation of students and I always assumed she had the food delivered to school families in need. Source - Ray Harding.

BurmaShave Travel Games

Who knew the background of the old Burma Shave signs? Beginning in the mid-1920’s, a brushless shaving cream was advertised by jingles on a series of five or six small red road signs spaced about 200 feet apart, so they had to be read individually. The last sign was always the company name (see picture). The company did not use professional jingle writers; they got them through national contests, awarding $100 for each one used. Some years they would get 50,000 entries. By the time I was old enough to read them, the product was waning, but the signs were still entertaining on the way to Memphis. One I remember is: “WITHIN THIS VALE / OF TOIL / AND SIN / YOUR HEAD GROWS BALD / BUT NOT YOUR CHIN / Burma Shave. A group of signs with this jingle is preserved at the Smithsonian as a cultural icon. Source – The Verse by the Side of the Road, by Rowsome. Submitted by Ray Harding.

Age is a Matter of Perspective

Who knew that Mrs. Ethel Osteen Humphreys (subject of a recent Who Knew) was director of the Methodist Youth Fellowship program at First Methodist Church in the late 1950’s? Under her leadership, MYF was fun and the “place to be” on Sunday night for many of us teenagers. We thought she was fairly “cool” for an elderly person. A quick calculation now shows that she was around 47 at the time; it’s all a matter of perspective. Submitted by Ray Harding.