Of Cotton Picking and Courts

by John Harvey

In one of its early issues of the Jasper County News, printed the results of a cotton picking contest held at Bethel.

As Jasper County was one of the leading counties in the state in cotton production, these contests seem to have been popular among the people living on the farms.  The rules for the contest were carried along with the story.  The contestants met at the home of James A. Jones, who was to be the judge of who picked the most.  They were to be in the field by 8 a.m. and to pick until 12 noon, at which time they were to return to Mr. Jones' home for their cotton to be weighed and a winner declared. 

The story states that the day, August 30, was a fair, warm day and the field were thick and heavy with the fluffy white stuff.  Fourteen men and eight women entered as contestants, all considered to be among the best pickers in the county.  After weighing in the cotton at noon, Mr. Jones announced the following winners: men - Brock Chaffin, 471 lbs., H. F. Chaffin, 392 lbs and Tom Goolsby, 310 lbs.  For the Women, Annie Steele, age 16, 253 lbs and Lucy Williams, age 12, 214 lbs.

The paper also encouraged the older citizens of the county to recall the early days of the county.  These reminiscences were published from time to time.  A letter from Col. J. D. Gray remembered revivals in the county in early days.

Col. Gray said that he remembered revivals when he was a boy when as many as 1,000 people had attended. H He quoted Dr. Walker as remembering one revival near Shady Dale at which it was estimated that 10,000 had attended from at least seven counties, some coming from as far away as Augusta.

Additional Comments:
Transcribed by Suzanne Forte (suzanneforte@bellsouth.net) April 2005,  from copies of articles contained in the Monticello News. There articles were prepared by Mr. 
John Harvey and published in this newspaper during the 1970's and 1980's time frame. Some were under the title "Jasper Reflections", others "Bicentennial Bits".
Permission has been granted by Mr. Harvey for use of these very valuable and informative articles.

Copies of articles provided by Benny Hawthorne.