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Note: SUBJECT: Andrew Jackson Martin (my Grandfather)
AS TOLD BY: Raymond E. Harper
Grandpaw Martin - What a charactor, In 1907 Grandpaw Martin lived at South
Pittsburg Tenn. - Times was hard, money was scarce and he knew that he had to
relocate to another town to survive so he loaded his Blacksmith tools on a pack
mule and started off south in Alabama. Now in those days there was not any
highways so he followed a railroad track south. Grandpaw Martin would stop
along the way and write to my Grandmother Rosa. He was very formal in his
letters. they would all start off something like this. "Dear Mrs Martin, On
this 26 day of April in the year of our Lord 1907 I take my pen in hand to
write to you ...ect."
Grandpaw Martin finally made it to Reform Alabama and after checking it out
decided that a Blacksmith shop would do fine there so he set up shop and went
to work. Some months later he had saved up enough money for Rosa to pack up the
kids and belongings and move down there. Grandmaw Rosa packed up everything
that she could carry in big trunks and loaded them on the train and with her
two children (Myrtle age 8 and Jimmy age 10) set out for Reform Alabama to set
up housekeeping.
About 1909 young Myrtle came down with a condition called Scarfolla (I am not
sure that is the way it is Spelled) that caused total Blindness, she was taken
to Tuscaloosa to a Specialist who operated on her neck (?) and she was brought
back home with little hope for recovery. Rosa would let Myrtle sit in the Swing
on the porch in the sunshine and she would sit there and sing. One day she
stopped singing and started saying "pretty, pretty, pretty" My Grandmother
heard her and knew that she had gotten her sight back. She grabbed her up in
her arms and ran a quarter mile to Grandpaw's shop shouting as loud as she
could.
About 1910 Grandpaw Bought the Depot Cafe and Rosa ran it with help from
Myrtle and Grandpaw. I remember hearing my mother say that there was a lot of
so called "Railroad Bums" that came through hungry Begging for a meal and they
never turned any one away without feeding them.
My Grandpaw Martin was a very properous man who was very good at making
money. He purchased and brought into Reform the first new car ever brought
there. and in his lifetime managed to buy several new autos.
Grandpaw never worked public works or for the other fellow. he always was
in some kind of business for him self.
My Grandmother Rosa Died in 1924 and shortly there after my Father, Mother
& Grandfather moved up to Ensley Alabama where Daddy worked for the Fairfeild
Ice & Fuel Company. Grandpaw just drifted around and finally re-married a lady
we only knew as "Granny Martin" in about 1936 (she died in 1948)
Grandpaw Martin worked as a "Saw Sharpener" in a small shop he ran in Bessemer until about 1952 and drove his own car until the same year. He came
over to Mothers one day and made too wide of a turn off the highway and cut
down a whole row of mailboxes. Mother took away his drivers license and sold
his car (he was 87 years old)
Grandpaw lived out his remaining years in a trailor parked behind my Mother,s house and he took his meals with Mother and Daddy (the addresse was
2029 29 Avenue Hueytown, Alabama. Grandpaw chewed a plug of "Brown Mule"
chewing tobacco every day of his life since he was 12 years old and the last 5
years he drank a six pack of beer every day he would walk from mothers house
down to Lee's Junction, buy a 6 pack, drink two and carry the balance back home
where he would finish them off before bedtime.
Grandpaw was never one to be sick and I never knew of him having to go to
the hospital, however one day in 1959 he came in to take dinner with Mom and
Dad and could not swallow his food so they rushed him to the hospital and died
within three days at 91 years old
[The Following letter was written to Andrew and Rose Martin from a lady by
the name of Emma McGuyre who was a dear friend of thiers from a place in
Kentucky called Alpine. I dont know how her and her husband became friends with
my Grandpaw Andrew and Grandmother Rose but I beleave that they knew each other
in South Pittspurg Tenn. and the Mcguyres went to Kentucky to work in the Strip
Mines for Coal. Well anyhow here is the letter written by Emma's Husband George
Mcguyre first and for the sake of clarity I will correct all of the misspelled
words and correct the English as much as I can.
May 29 1895
Alpine Ky
Pulaski Co.
A. J. Martin or Relatives if Andy is dead. Please write if not. I hope he will
answer soon. this is 3 letters that I have written with no answer. wrote 2 to
Logan and have no answers yet. If you Know of his where abouts please writh
where he is. Andy I am not doing any good now we dont get only about 2 days to
the week. I do very well them 2 days I make from 3 to $4.25 Dollars per day I
am working 5 foot Coal. (Editors Note: Mining of coal was referred to as a Coal
Seam so many feet thick.)
[Editors Note: The remainder of his letter is lost but now his wife Emma writes a page in the same letter to Grandmaw Rose.]
Well Rose I will write you a few lines to see if you have forgot you have and
old friend in Kentucky. Rose I have nothing good to write but that I have a
fine garden and I wish you and Andy were here to help me eat it. Rose I am not
well I have an ulcer in my throat it has began to choke me. [Editor note: This
more than likely was a Goiter] Harry and Ellen are fat and hardy. Rose write
and tell me all you know good and bad. Tell me if you know where george's
Mother is and all about her. Kiss Willie for me. So I will close for this time
by asking you to write soon. Your Old Friend Emma McGuyre
[Editors Note: The following is Parts of a letter written to Andrew and Rose
sometime later from George McGuyre and it was obvious that his wife Emma had
died and left him a Widower with two young children to raise.]
8-6-1896
Alpin Ky
Pulaski Co.
Andy I thought I would Write you again as I wrote you this first of June in
answer to yours of the same to see what is the reason have not [ next part lost
] Andy I have to do something with my children I cant take care of them. I want
yours and Rose's advice on the matter. I have either to marry or send them to
an Orphans Home and I had rather Die as to do either one & I want your advice
what to do. So do write soon and let me know your opinion on this matter.
hopeing to hear from you soon I remain yours as ever Geor. H. McGuyre
The following letters were written to my Grandmother Rosa Martin from my
Grandfather Andrew J. Martin (Note Rosa was in Chattanooga Tn.)
Searles Alabama
Nov. 01,1908
Mrs Rosa Martin
Dear Wife
Your letter of recent date received last night. contents carefully noted. in
answer I will say I was more than glad to hear from you and to hear that you
was getting along all OK but I was nearly mad at you for not letting me know
beforehand that the operation was going to be as serious as it was and if you
could'nt have done that you couuld a let them notify me of your condition soon
after and I would have been with you now. Rose you know that I never have
deserted you in a time of sickness and trouble yet and never intend to and if I
had had any idea of the nature of this I would been right there with you of
course there is no use of me coming now after the worst is past and you are
getting all right so I hope you will soon get well so you can come for if you
dont I am coming home though I dont want you to get too smart and start off too
soon. You said something about comimg Nov. 22 which is 3 weeks from today,
provided that I could make arrangements for you to come. I think I can make
arrangements anytime you get able to make the trip or at least I will try. all
I ask is a few dars notification ahead but what ever you do dont try to start
too soon. write me about how much money you will have to have and give 2 or 3
days before you want it and I will try to get it. I got in a pretty good months
work in Oct. 28 1/2 shifts $74.10 so you can see that I havent Been down here
at play
Searles Alabama
Nov. 17th 1908
Mrs Rosa Martin
Dear Wife Yours of recent date just received in answer. Will say I was glad to hear that
you was coming Sunday. I hope you will not go and work around and make yourself
sick again. This leaves me well as common and getting along all ok. I cant tell
you much of anything at present I am so proud you are coming. I cant think of
anything to write only you never have said you would bring my quart. Rose it
seems that there was something that I wanted to write you about but I cant
think of it. Now give all the good people up there my best regards. I am sorry
to hear of riddle and gray (????) but it cant be any worse than I expected.
Well as it is only 4 more days till you come I will close by saying dont forget
my quart. so goodbye till I see you again. A J Martin
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