Version
1, Chapter 4: “An Organized Farmer”
(ed.
this chapter does not exist in Version 2)
In September 22nd 1882, I was initiated in the Grange (Patrons
of Husbandry) of Pine Forest. Initiation given by Dr J B Bailey.
Dr J S Parker was master of the local Pine Forest Grange. The
election of annual officers was held on the regular meeting day
Friday before the fourth Sunday in December, at which time all
officers were elected for the ensuing year of 1883, and at this
1882 election I was elected clerk, and served for two years.
I was then elected and hired to work as assistant clerk in the
Bethel Cooperative Store. This store was owned and operated by
Bethel and Pine Forest Local Granges. I worked first year 1884
under J A Lake, an ex merchant, served as Secretary of the Cooperative
Association for awhile. Went to school at Conehata awhile in
1885. Worked second year under A J Rainer manager. In 1886 worked
as assistant to A J Rainer. In 1887 worked a crop at home, and
worked for Buckley and Tim Vessy (ed. name is not clear; possible
readings include “Jim Perry”) in store, a regular retail business.
The Grange had gone down in this section of the state, and the
Farm Alliance made its appearance in 1887. Was organized in
the county. I was president of Midway local one year, the first
county meeting after organization. I was elected county secretary.
Held that office while the organization in the county lasted.
When the Farmers Union was organized in the county at the first
county meeting I was elected secretary, and served as county secretary
while the organization lasted in Newton county. Attended several
state conventions, and attended the cotton convention 1885 in
New Orleans. Met and heard Tom E Watson address the convention.
This was a great get togather meeting. After the Farmers Union
failed in the county it was fourteen years. There was not any
farmers organization in the state.
Later the Truck growers association of Newton was organised.
I had a small acreage the first year of onions and cabbage.
This association lasted for several years. Price for cabbage
raised from 25 cent to $3.50 per hundred pound crate. The last
year that the association operated one shipment had to pay the
freight bill to get rid of the shipment. Then for two years I
hauled yam potatoes to the canning factory at Laurell Miss, paid
$15.00 a truck load to get them hauled. Would take two days to
make the trip and return. Prior to this Laurel deal there was
a caning factory at Newton. I sold cabbage, potatoes, beans,
to this plant for several years. When this plant burned, we went
back to cotton growing. For several years I grew wheet to supply
home use. No mill near to grind wheet. Had to carry it to Nights
mill in Neshoba county. The only mill in reach that had a bolting
chest to seperate the flour from the shorts and bran. I grew
as much as 18 bushels to the acre. Quit growing wheet because
could grow cotton that would by mour (ed. buy more) flour than
the wheet would make to the acre. I grew 2 bales of cotton on
1 acre once, and 75 bushels of corn on one acre, often growing
a crop of cabbage of 100 crates of 100 pounds to the crate on
the same acre all in one year. One year the 100 crates of cabbage
was worth 3.00 per crate= $300.00. Then had planted corn between
the cabbage roes the 1st week in June, taken cabbage off in June
then worked to corn and planted peas in corn middles. The last
year we planted cabbage extensively. The market failed. I plowed
several acres under. Did not cut a cabbage from it. It was Drumhead
late cabbage. I had rather grow cabbage than to grow cotton.
Less work to grow, and less work to gather. Besides could grow
a good crop of corn, and peas after cabbage came off, and the
land was improving after growing the crops cabbage, corn and peas.
