On the Square

by John Harvey

The past Fourth of July weekend brought about a few reminiscences of our Square.  For example, the heat and dryness of the past few weeks make one think of the quick heavy rains that can suddenly come up.  In 1939 such a sudden rain reminded citizens that the old "town well" once was on the southwest corner of the Square.  the 10 year old paved Square on that side suddenly fell in and had to be repaired. 

The old horse trough on the north side of the Square reminds that there were once four of them, one on each side of the Square, and hitching rails in front of the stores.  A city ordinance requiring hat all visitors to town make sure that their animals were tied to a rail.  One farmer's horse had learned to untie his rein and according to reports, often led the city policeman on a merry chase around the Square.  His owned did not enjoy paying the find for "horse running loose".

Many will remember the cannon left at Jackson Spring on the Forsyth Highway by Andrew Jackson when he passed through in 1816.  Years later it was dug up by a group of young men and placed on the Square where it stood for many years.  During World War II, the county took part in many scrap metal drives, winning the "E" which was given for those counties that went over their quota, no less than five times.  In the excitement of one of the drives, someone threw the cannon on the back of a truck and it "went back to war."

There is the stone bench on the Square given by Miss Anna Jordan.  It was dedicated to the memory of her parents.  "Miss Anna" was a long time county officer an secretary to the County Commission.  Her father was also a long time county official.  She lived in the family home which was a beautiful old Greek Revival mansion which stood on the lot on North Warren Street where the Soil Conservation Service building now stands.  "Miss Anna" also left this home to the county.  It was used for a health clinic, library and other uses for a number of years, but finally was in such disrepair that it had to be torn down.

Then there were the old time wood and tin awning that to the minds of many gave the town an "old time western look."

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.