Alvin C. Bertram: A Baptist Preacher for 54 Years

 

The Bertram family that were a huge part of Clear Fork Baptist Church in Albany, Kentucky from the late 1890's through the 1930's, originated in England and came to Virginia during Colonial times. As a young man, William Bertram, a preacher, migrated to Wayne County. Pleasant Hill Church in Wayne County was started very near the Bertram home. His son, Jonathan, also a preacher, became a large landowner in Wayne County and, likewise, was a preacher.

One of Johnathan's sons was Alvin Bertram. In 1865, near the end of the Civil War, Alvin moved to Clinton County, where he continued his family's tradition of being a farmer. He soon followed in his father and grandfather's footsteps by accepting the call to preach, which he did for 54 years, mostly as pastor of Clear Fork Baptist Church.

There were four pastors of Clear Fork prior to Alvin Bertram; Isaac Denton, 1802-1848, Daniel Hancock 1849, James Abston 1852-1854 and Joseph Denton 1854-1886. Following the death of Joseph Denton, Bertram was selected as pastor for one year, beginning in November of 1887. J.C.J. Selvidge served as Pastor for the next seven months before Bro. Bertram was asked to come back. The Church apparently loved him so much that in February of 1898, after 11 years, when Bro. Bertram asked to be released as pastor, the Church refused, and he remained pastor until his death on July 14, 1926 at the age of 79. His last regular sermon at Clear Fork was on July 26, 1924. Assistant pastors' J.R. Hagan and James Fairchilds filled in during those last two years, with Bro. Fairchilds being chosen the next pastor in 1926.

Besides being a preacher and a farmer, Alvin Bertram also enjoyed politics. He represented Clinton and Wayne counties as a Kentucky State Representative during the 1894 and 1898 sessions.

Alvin married Rosa Young on May 12, 1864. They had six children: William, Elza, Joe, Oscar, Printus and Lena. All of them followed in their father's footsteps, either as a farmer, a preacher or in politics. Printus became a preacher. As a matter of fact, he served as Clear Fork's 10th pastor, from May 1932 to May 1933. He died in 1936 at the age of 59. His brothers, Elza and Oscar, practiced law in Albany for nearly 25 years as Bertram & Bertram before moving the practice to Monticello. In 1910, Elza ran for congress, but lost. Later that year, he was elected to the Kentucky State Senate. In 1933, he became a Judge with the Kentucky Court of Appeals.

Both Alvin and Rosa Bertram are buried at Albany Cemetery.

 

 

 

Blog Recognizes Song Written By My Dad

I wish I had seen this earlier.

On March 6, 2012, a popular gospel music blog, Southern Gospel Views From The Back Row, rated the Speer Family's 'Big Singing Day' LP as the groups' number one album. That makes me smile because two Albany boys wrote that song, my dad and Gene Coulter. And, not only did the Speer Family record the song, they made it the title of their album!

The Southern Gospel Views From The Back Row blog regularly publishes a 'Ten On Ten' feature and the March 6, 2012 blog highlighted the the Speer Family, which has always been referred to as 'first family of Gospel music.' Mom and Dad Speer (George and Lena Speer) started singing in 1921. Eventually, the article states, all the kids would be a part of the group and Brock and Ben Speer would go on to spend their entire singing careers with the Speer's.
The blogs writer, Steve Eaton, wrote "In trying to determine the Speer Family’s pinnacle recording, it came down to the top four. Big Singing Day, from 1968, ended up at #1. Brock and Ben Speer along with Harold Lane, Ann Downing, Jeanne Johnson and Bob Johnson were members during the time of this recording. Some of the best singing from the Speers was found on this recording. "There’s Nobody Like Jesus", "Salvation In My Soul", "When Jesus Breaks The Morning", "Joy In The Camp", "I Don’t Want To Walk In The Darkness" and "Going Home" all highlight this album."

What excites me about this article is Big Singing Day beat out the 1971 album The King Is Coming, which ended up at #2. The Speer Family were the group to popularize the Bill and Gloria Gaither's classic song. It became a signature song for the group and many groups would go on to record the song over the course of the last 40 years. 

Here is the rest of the top ten....

3. He’s Still In The Fire (1989)
4. Especially Warm (1975)
5. In Concert (1972)
6. The Speer Family Album (1955)
7. Between The Cross And Heaven (1976)
8. Sacred Hour (1963)
9. Touring That City (1973)
10. The Singing Speers (1960) Eaton concluded in his article, "Rarely do you have an artist in any genre of music that has released a 60th anniversary recording, a 70th anniversary recording and even a 75th anniversary recording, but the Speer Family has. They are a true Southern Gospel institution that should never be left out of discussions on Southern Gospel music’s biggest trend setters."

Thanks Southern Gospel Views From The Back Row for recognizing an album that my dad had a part in, The Speer Family's Big Singing Day. Click PLAY below to listen to dad's group, The Gospel Servants, sing Big Singing Day....

http://sogospelbackrow.wordpress.com/2012/03/06/

My 78 r.p.m. Record Collection

My 78 r.p.m. record collection represents 234 sides from the years 1912 to 1951, and includes the following artists. (The early Edison and Victor artists were the very first recording artists.)

ARA Records (1)

Bob Crosby - Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow (RM129A) 1946

Bob Crosby - In The Valley (RM129B) 1946

BAMA Records (1)
John Daniel Quartet - Land Across The Sea (43) 1950

John Daniel Quartet - If You Gain The Whole World (44) 1950
 

Capitol Records (8)
Ella Mae Morse - Get Off It And Go (424) 1946

Ella Mae Morse - Old Shanks' Mare (424) 1946

Margaret Whiting - Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man (901) 1946

Margaret Whiting - Come Rain Or Come Shine (912) 1946

Nat "King" Cole - You Can't Lose A Broken Heart (57-749) 1949

Nat "King" Cole - (Here Is My Heart Nalani (57-749) 1949

Ray Anthony and His Orchestra - Bamboo (4335Y) 1950
Ray Anthony and His Orchestra - Count Every Star (4334Z) 1950

Stan Kenton and his Orchestra - Come Back To Sorrento (20086 1137) 1946

Stan Kenton and his Orchestra - Artistry In Bolero (20086 1197) 1946

Stan Kenton and his Orchestra - Willow Weep For Me (20087 1217) 1946

Stan Kenton and his Orchestra - Fantasy (20087 1218) 1946

Stan Kenton and his Orchestra - Opus In Pastels (20088 1311) 1946
Stan Kenton and his Orchestra - Safranski (20088 1196) 1946

Stan Kenton and his Orchestra - Ain't No Misery In Me (20089 1194) 1946

Stan Kenton and his Orchestra - Artistry In Percussion (20089 1195) 1946

Capitol Records "Criterion Series" (4)
Bob Hope Broadcasts to the U. S. Army Pt. 1 (10047) 1946

Bob Hope Broadcasts to the U. S. Army Pt. 2 (10048) 1946

Bob Hope Broadcasts to the U. S. Army Pt. 3 (10049) 1946

Bob Hope Broadcasts to the U. S. Army Pt. 4 (10050) 1946

Bob Hope Broadcasts to the U. S. Army Pt. 5 (10050) 1946

Bob Hope Broadcasts to the U. S. Army Pt. 6 (10049) 1946

Bob Hope Broadcasts to the U. S. Army Pt. 7 (10048) 1946

Bob Hope Broadcasts to the U. S. Army Pt. 8 (10047) 1946

Champion Electrograph (18)

Carolina Ladies Quartette - Don't Put Off Salvation Too Long (15879A) 1929

Carolina Ladies Quartette - My Loved Ones Are Waiting For Me (15879B) 1929

Cliff Carlisle - High Steppin' Mama (16239A) 1931

Cliff Carlisle - Alone And Lonesome (16239B) 1931

Cliff Carlisle/Wilbur Ball - Birmingham Jail (45029A) 1932

Cliff Carlisle/Wilbur Ball - True And Trembling Brakeman (45029B) 1932

Dan Hughey (Bradley Kincaid) - Angels In Heaven Know I Love You (15771A) 1929

Dan Hughey - Will The Angels Play Their Harps For Me (15771B) 1929

Dan Hughey - Cindy (15851A) 1929

Dan Hughey - My Little Home In Tennessee (15851B) 1929

Goodman Sacred Singers - Working For The Master (15330B) 1927

Goodman Sacred Singers - I Am Redeemed At Last (15547A) 1928

Goodman Sacred Singers - Rocking On The Waves (15547B) 1928

Goodman Sacred Singers - Give The World A Smile (15612A) 1928

Goodman Sacred Singers - He'll Tell Us All About It (15612B) 1928

Goodman Sacred Singers - Keep Holding On (15773A) 1928

Goodman Sacred Singers - Where We'll Never Grow Old (15773B) 1928

Goodman Sacred Singers - That Glory Land Way (16100A) 1928

Goodman Sacred Singers - Singing On The Journey Home (16100B) 1928

Hamlin Quartette - When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder (15330A) 1927

Hutchens Brothers - Praise The Lord It's So (15464A) 1928

Hutchens Brothers - Meet Me There (15464B) 1928

Hutchens Family Trio - I Will Praise Him Hallelujah (16013A) 1930

Hutchens Family Trio - Sweeping Through The Gates (16013B) 1930

Jackson County Barn Owls - I Wonder How The Old Folks Are At Home (16031A) 1930

Jackson County Barn Owls - Bake That Chicken Pie (16031B) 1930

Jim Taylor/Bill Shelby - It Won't Be Long Till My Grave Is Made (15730A) 1929

Jim Taylor & Bill Shelby It's Sad To Leave You Sweetheart (15730B) 1929

John Hutchens - The Sinking Of The Submarine (15427A) 1927

John Hutchens - The Marian Parker Murder (15427B) 1927

Saul Meyer - Cohen On The Telephone (15506A) 1928

Saul Meyer - Cohen's New Auto (15506B) 1928

Tex Ritter - Nobody's Darling But Mine (45153A) 1935

Tex Ritter - My Brown Eyed Texas Rose (45153B) 1935

Welling Trio - Just Inside The Eastern Gate (16035A) 1930

Welling Trio - Will The Circle Be Unbroken (16035B) 1930

Columbia Records (11)
Doris Day with the Mellomen - Bewitched (38698) 1949

Doris Day - Imagination (37698) 1947

Doris Day - I May Be Wrong (But I Think You're Wonderful) (38727) 1950

Frank Sinatra - You Go To My Head (36918) 1945

Frank Sinatra - I Don't Know Why (36918) 1945

Frank Sinatra - Why Shouldn't I (36920) 1945

Frank Sinatra - Try A Little Tenderness (36920) 1945

Frank Sinatra - Someone To Watch Over Me (36921) 1945

Frank Sinatra - Paradise (36921) 1945

Frank Sinatra - I Only Have Eyes For You (36921) 1945

Frank Sinatra - It All Depends On You (36921) 1945

Frank Sinatra - Lost In The Stars (38650) 1946

Frank Sinatra - The Old Master Painter (38650) 1946

Gene Krupa & his Orchestra - You May Not Love Me (37049) 1946

Gene Krupa & his Orchestra - Chiquita Banana (37049) 1946

Harry James and his Orchestra - I Tipped My Hat (37305) 1947

Harry James and his Orchestra - Heartaches (37305) 1947

Harry James and his Orchestra - Get Happy (38727) 1950

The Modernaires w/Paula Key - Juke Box Saturday Night (36992) 1946

The Modernaires w/Paula Key - Salute To Glenn Miller (36992) 1946

Xavier Cugat Orchestra - South America Take It Away (37051) 1946

Xavier Cugat Orchestra- Chiquita Banana (The Banana Song) (37051) 1946

Decca Records (3)
Bing Crosby - Now Is The Hour (Maori Farewell Song) (24279A) 1948

Bing Crosby - Silver Threads Among The Gold (24279B) 1948

Jimmy Davis - I'll Be True To The One I Love (5955A) 1941

Jimmie Davis - My Mary (5955B) 1941

Mills Brothers - You Always Hurt The One You Love (23930A) 1938

Mills Brothers - Till Then (23930B) 1938

 

Edison Records (33)
American Symphony Orchestra - Wedding Of The Winds Waltzes (50065-R) 1912
Andre Benoist - Valse In E Flat (50292-R) 1915
Andre Benoist - Old Black Joe (50292-L) 1915
Anna Case - Annie Laurie (83059-R) 1916

Anna Case - Old Folks At Home (83059-L) 1916

Betsy Lane Shepherd - I'll Remember You, Love In My Prayers (80484-R) 1917

Billy Murray - Are You From Dixie ('Cause I'm From Dixie Too) (50357-R) 1916

Charles Hart & Elliot Shaw - Is My Name Written There? (80529-R) 1919

Charles Hart, Elliot Shaw and The Calvary Choir - Shall You? Shall I? (80529-L) 1919

Chester Gaylord - Love's Old Sweet Song (80613-L) 1920

Collins and Harlan - On The Hoko Moko Isle (50348-R) 1916

Edison Band - Medley Of American War Songs (50212-R) 1914

Edison Band - Medley Of American Patriotic Airs (50212-L) 1914

Edison Quartet - America (My Country 'Tis Of Thee) (80172-R) 1914

Edison Quartet - The Star Spangled Banner (80172-L) 1914

Edison Quartet - Let The Lower Lights Be Burning (80204-R) 1914

Edison Quartet - He Lifted Me (80204-L) 1914

Edna White - Recollections of 1861-65 (80613-R) 1920

Elizabeth Spencer - Call Me Your Darling Again (80098-L) 1916

Elizabeth Spencer & Thomas Chalmers - Abide With Me (80276-L) 1915

Elizabeth Spencer & Frederick Wheeler - Dreams Of Galilee (50002-R) 1915

Elizabeth Spencer/Vernon Archibald - Ever Of Thee I'm Fondly Dreaming (80010-R) 1920

Ernest L. Stevens Trio - Red Mon Waltz (51026-R) 1922

Ernest L. Stevens Trio - If I Had My Way Pretty Baby (51026-L) 1922

Ford Hawaiians - Ellis March (50455-R) 1916

Fred Bacon - Massa's In De Cold, Cold Ground (50351-R) 1915

Fred Bacon - Old Black Joe (50351-L) 1916

Fred East & Lewis James - Only A Step To Jesus (80549-R) 1920

Fred Van Eps - Darkey's Dream and Darkey's Awakening (51145-R) 1922

Fred Van Eps - Medley Of Southern Melodies (51145-L) April 1923

Helen Clark and George Wilton Ballard - I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles (50534-R) 1919

Helen Clark & George Wilton Ballard - In The Old Sweet Way (50534-L) 1919

Jaudas' Society Orchestra - Poor Butterfly (50428-R) 1917

Jaudas' Society Orchestra - The Missouri Waltz (50428-L) 1916

John Young & Frederick Wheeler - When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder (80276-R) 1915

Maggie Teyte & The Lyric Male Quartet - I'se Gwine Back To Dixie (82159-R) 1919

Maggie Teyte - Ma Curly-Headed Babby (82159-L) 1919

Metropolitan Quartet - Darling Nellie Gray (80010-L) 1914 

Metropolitan Quartet - Annie Laurie (80098-R) 1913 1914

Metropolitan Quartet - I Love To Tell The Story (80300-R) 1914

Metropolitan Quartet - I Will Sing Of My Redeemer (80300-L) 1914

Metropolitan Quartet - Come Where The Lillies Bloom (80321-L) 1915

Metropolitan Quartet - The Little Old Log Cabin In The Lane (80484-L) 1918

Orpheus Male Chorus - Dixieland Memories No. 1 (80395-R) 1917

Orpheus Male Chorus - Dixieland Memories No. 2 (80395-L) 1917

Rae Eleanor Ball; Jessie L. Deppen, pianoforte - Wonderland Of Dreams (50857-R) 1921

Rae Eleanor Ball; Jessie L. Deppen, pianoforte - Havana Moon (50857-L) 1921

S.W. Smith, U.S.N. And Bugle Squad - U.S. Army Bugle Calls Pt. 1 (50452-R) 1917

S.W. Smith, U.S.N. And Bugle Squad - U.S. Army Bugle Calls Pt. 2 (50452-L) 1917

Sibyl Sanderson, Fred Hager and Harvey Wilson - Sundown In Birdland (80453-R) 1918

Sibyl Sanderson Fagan - L'Ardita-Magnetic Waltz (80453-L) 1918

Thomas Chalmers - Nearer My God To Thee (50002-L) July 21, 1913

Thomas Chalmers - My Old Kentucky Home (80321-R) 1914

Thomas Chalmers - Beulah Land (80549-L) 1920

Thomas Chalmers - O Holy Night (82055-R) 1914

Thomas Chalmers - The Palms (82055-L) 1914 

Thomas Chalmers - Battle Hymn Of The Republic (82133-R) 1917

Thomas Chalmers - Recessional (82133-L) 1916

Vasa Prihoda - (a) Songs My Mother Taught Me (b) Poem (82236-R) 1921

Vasa Prihoda - On Wings Of Song (82236-L) 1921

Venetian Instrumental Quartet - On The High Alps (50065-L) 1914

Waikiki Hawaiian Orchestra - One, Two, Three, Four Medley (50455-L) 1917

Walter Van Brunt - Hickey Dula (50348-L) 1916

Walter Van Brunt - Don't Bite The Hand That Feeds You (50357-L) 1916

Walter Van Brunt - I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen (80160-R) 1914

Walter Van Brunt & Elizabeth Spencer - On The Banks Of The Brandywine(80160-L) 1914
 

Imperial Records (1)

Charlie "Boogie Woogie" Davis - I Know What It's All About (5021A) 1947
Charlie "Boogie Woogie" Davis - How I Miss Old Memphis Tennessee (5021B) 1947

Majestic Records (1)

Danny O'Neil - That's My Home (7198A) 1946

Danny O'Neil - And Then It's Heaven (7198B) 1946
 

Melotone Records (1)

Gene Autry - The Answer To Nobody's Darling (LA1108) 1935

Gene Autry & Jimmy Long - Answer To Red River Valley (16576) 1936
 

Mercury Records (1)

Frankie Laine - Waiting At The End Of The Road (5332 - 2849) 1949

Frankie Laine - Don't Do Something To Someone Else (5332 - 2851) 1949

Okeh Records (6)

Andrew Jenkins & Frank Hicks - The Old Account Was Settled Long Ago (45443) 1930

Andrew Jenkins & Frank Hicks - Don't Stop Praying (45443) 1930

Billy Beard & Al Bernard - Henry Jones (Your Honeymoon Is Over) (41388) 1928

Billy Beard & Al Bernard - Cindy (It Am Wedding Time (41388) 1928

Charles Richardson & O.S. Gabehart - God Is Still On The Throne (45371) 1929

Charles Richardson & O.S. Gabehart - The Unclouded Day (45371) 1929

Gene Autry - You're The Only Star (03097) 1935

Gene Autry - Mexicali Rose (03097) 1935

W.T. Narmour and S.W. Smith - Charlestown No. 1 (45317) 1929

W.T. Narmour and S.W. Smith - Carroll County Blues (45317) March 1929

W.T. Narmour and S.W. Smith - Charleston No. 2 (45377) 1929

W.T. Narmour and S.W. Smith - Carroll County Blues No. 2 (45377) 1929
 

Orthacoustic Radio Recording-NBC (1)

Alameda Coast Guard Band - Armed Guard Fighting Song
 

Palex Records (3)

Paul Villard - When I Was A Boy (501A) 1946

Paul Villard - Foggy Foggy Dew (501B) 1946

Paul Villard - My Hometown (502A) 1946

Paul Villard - Venezuela (502B) 1946

Paul Villard - Trade Winds - Sea Fever (503A) 1946

Paul Villard - September Song (503B) 1946
 

Perfect Records (2)

Callahan Brothers - She's My Curly Headed Baby No. 2 (351028A) 1935

Callahan Brothers - I'll Be Thinking Of Days Gone By (351028B) 1934

Carter Family - The Fate Of Dewey Lee (13153A) 1935                                            

Carter Family - East Virginia Blues No. 2 (131353B) 1935

RCA Victor (6)

Cecil Campbell's Tennessee Ramblers - Steel Guitar Wiggle (21-0445-A) 1951

Cecil Campbell's Tennessee Ramblers - Coconut Island (21-0445-B) 1951

Eddy Arnold and his Tennessee Plowboys - I Talk To Myself About You (20-1801A) 1946

Eddy Arnold and his Tennessee Plowboys - (I'll Have To) Live And Learn (20-1801B) 1946

Perry Como - A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes (20-3607A) 1949

Perry Como - Bibbidi Bobbidi-Boo (20-3607B) 1949

Sammy Kaye - It's A Lie (20-2037A) 1946

Sammy Kaye - I Used To Work In Chicago (20-2037B) 1946

Tony Martin - There's No Tomorrow (20-3582B) 1949

Tony Martin - A Thousand Violins (20-3582B) 1949

Vaughn Monroe - How Soon (Will I Be Seeing You) (20-2523A) 1948

Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra - True (20-2523B) 1948
 

Sacred Records (1)

Alan McGill - He Lives (300A)

Alan McGill - No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus (300B)
 

Superior Records (7)

Charleston Sacred Quartette - The Saviour Said (2615A) 1930

Charleston Sacred Quartet - Turn Away (2615B) 1930

Clyde Ashley - Got Them Drunken Blues (2636A) 1930

Clyde Ashley - The Hand Car Yodel (2636B) 1930

Gene Autry - T.D. Blues (2710A) 1930

Gene Autry - Blue Days (2710B) 1930

Joe Lester & Dick Moss - That Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine (2632A) 1930

Joe Lester & Dick Moss - I'm Always Dreaming Of You (2632B) 1930

Mitchell Family Trio - Picture On The Wall (2641A) 1929

Mitchell Family Trio - A Flower From My Angel Mother's Grave (2641B) 1929

Murphy Brothers - When Katie Comes Down To The Gate (2716A) 1931

Murphy Brothers - A Little White Rose (2716B) 1931

William Harper & Nelson Hall - Going Down In The Valley (2602A) 1931

William Harper & Nelson Hall - Nailed To The Cross (2602B) 1931
 

Victor Records (8)

American Quartet - When You Wore A Tulip (17652A) 1914

Binkley Brothers Dixie Clodhoppers - I'll Rise When The Rooster Crows (V40048A) 1928

Binkley Brothers Dixie Clodhoppers - Give Me Back My Fifteen Cents (V40048B) 1928

Carter Family - When Roses Bloom In Dixieland (V40229A) 1927

Carter Family - No Telephone In Heaven (V40229B) 1927

Carter Family - The Poor Orphan Child (20877A) 1927

Carter Family - The Wandering Boy (20877B) 1927

Carter Family - Single Girl, Married Girl (20937A) 1927

Carter Family - The Storms Are On The Ocean (20937B) 1927

Kelly Harrell - Hand Me Down My Walking Cane (20103A) 1914
Kelly Harrell - My Horses Ain't Hungry (20103B) 1914

Peerless Quartet - The Red, White and Blue (17652B) 1914

Vaughan Quartet - Sunlight and Shadows (V40097A) 1928

Vaughan Quartet - In Steps Of Light (V40097B) 1928

Wayne King and his Orchestra - Star Dust (24509A) 1933

Wayne King and his Orchestra - Speak Easy - Bolero (24509B) 1933

My Champion Record Collection

The name Champion Records has been used by at least four record labels. The earliest, Champion label was produced by Gennett Records (1925–1934) that featured country, as well as popular bands, hot jazz and blues. Gene Autry recorded for Gennett on the Champion label and it is said that his horse, Champion, was named for the label. In 1935, Decca bought rights to restart the Champion label, using it until about 1937.

Carolina Ladies Quartette - Don't Put Off Salvation Too Long (15879A) 1929
Carolina Ladies Quartette - My Loved Ones Are Waiting For Me (15879B) 1929
Cliff Carlisle - High Steppin' Mama (16239A) 1931
Cliff Carlisle - Alone And Lonesome (16239B) 1931
Cliff Carlisle/Wilbur Ball - Birmingham Jail (45029A) 1931
Cliff Carlisle/Wilbur Ball - True And Trembling Brakeman (45029B) 1931
Dan Hughey - Angels In Heaven Know I Love You (15771A) 1929
Dan Hughey - Will The Angels Play THeir Harps For Me (15771B)  1929
Dan Hughey - Cindy (15851A) 1929
Dan Hughey - My Little Home In Tennesee (15851B) 1929
Goodman Sacred Singers - Working For The Master (15330B) 1927
Goodman Sacred Singers - I Am Redeemed At Last (15547A) 1928
Goodman Sacred Singers - Rocking On The Waves (15547B) 1928
Goodman Sacred Singers - Give The World A Smile (15612A) 1928
Goodman Sacred Singers - He'll Tell Us All About It (15612B) 1928
Goodman Sacred Singers - Keep Holding On (15773A) 1928
Goodman Sacred Singers - Where We'll Never Grow Old (15773B) 1928
Goodman Sacred Singers - That Glory Land Way (16100A) 1928
Goodman Sacred Singers - Singing On The Journey Home (16100B) 1928
Hamlin Quartette - When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder (15330A) 1927
Hutchens Brothers - Praise The Lord It's So (15464A) 1928
Hutchens Brothers - Meet Me There (15464B) 1928
Hutchens Family Trio - I Will Praise Him Hallelujah (16013A) 1930
Hutchens Family Trio - Sweeping Through The Gates (16013B) 1930
Jackson County Barn Owls - I Wonder How The Old Folks Are At Home (16031A) 1930
Jackson County Barn Owls - Bake That Chicken Pie (16031B) 1930
Jim Taylor/Bill Shelby - It Won't Be Long Till My Grave Is Made (15730A) 1929
Jim Taylor & Bill Shelby It's Sad To Leave You Sweetheart (15730B) 1929
John Hutchens - The Sinking Of The Submarine (15427A) 1927
John Hutchens - The Marian Parker Murder (15427B) 1927
Saul Meyer - Cohen On The Telephone (15506A) 1927
Saul Meyer - Cohen's New Auto (15506B) 1927
Tex Riter - Nobody's Darling But Mine (45153A) 1935
Tex Ritter - My Brown Eyed Texas Rose (45153B) 1935
Welling Trio - Just Inside The Eastern Gate (16035A) 1930
Welling Trio - Will The Circle Be Unbroken (16035B) 1930

Georgie's Hole

Howard Hardaway became a writer during his many trips to Canada each summer for a one-day hike. The Louisville Courier called him in and wanted him to write up some of his experiences. He averaged several pieces a year for the journal and some for other publications at the time of this interview. Hardaway referred to himself as ‘The Old Hiker.’ "I’ve learned," said the Louisville, KY native in a May 1959 interview, "that the most interesting places are not right on the road. On the back roads, at the little country stores where the road crews gather for a quart of milk and a moon pie, that’s where you find some real historians." One of the places he wrote about was Clinton County. The following story is an excerpt from an article he submitted to the Courier-Journal sometime during the 1930s.

"Passing northward through a mountain gap at Doc Powers' place. I started down the valley of Koger's Creek by a narrow trail that is passable only by horseback or afoot. "There have been wagons up there," I was told later, "but not for a longtime." And, yet people live up there, and apparently live very well. The farms up in the gap look well-tended and prosperous. In this neighborhood is a cave, a "bottomless pit," known as Georgie's Hole. No one knows the depth of the vertical shaft. Georgie was the name of an old woman who lived hereabouts many years ago. Georgie and her husband "got their backs up" at each other. They couldn't seem to patch things up. One day, out in the pasture, Georgie is said to have maneuvered around so that she got her old man with his back to the hold. A quick shove - and Georgie was a willing widow. Georgie's Hole and its story has served as a warning to Clinton County husbands for 100 years to patch up differences quickly with the wife - or else stay away from bottomless pits."

Howard Hardaway

Fungal Meningitis: Could It Have Been Prevented?

 

"Eddie epitomized the senior citizens of our modern society who are determined to remain active and who have much to give to their community." - Joyce Lovelace.

 

Could the fungal meningitis outbreak have been prevented? It took the life of a dear friend of mine. And, not just me...Circuit Judge Eddie Lovelace was a dear friend of the entire community. Yet, now, his family, tragically, is left to deal his loss. The community lost, not only a great friend, but a great leader.

 

Judge Lovelace died Sept. 17 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee after receiving tainted steroid injections in July and August at Saint Thomas Outpatient Neurosurgery Center in Nashville. He was initially checked into Vanderbilt with symptoms that suggested he had suffered a mild stroke. Health officials later discovered he had contracted fungal meningitis after receiving epidural steroid injections produced by Framingham, Massachusetts-based New England Compounding Center, which had shipped thousands of vials of injections, many later found to be growing mold, all over the country.

The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations heard testimony Wednesday about the deadly outbreak of fungal meningitis and whether it could have been prevented. The hearing began with stirring testimony from the judge's wife, Joyce Lovelace. Click on the video below.

 

 

Quotes from Joyce Lovelace from a written testimony she also submitted:

"The citizens of our community have lost a civic leader, a church leader, and outstanding judge. His near photographic memory, his booming voice, his sense of humor and his deep-seated concern for his fellow citizens led him to be a speaker at many civic and social functions and led him to frequently deliver eulogies of his friends who had preceded him death. His uncanny ability to quote Shakespeare, the Bible, poetry and famous quotations both entertained and brought comfort to many.

(To the subcommittee) "Don’t just investigate. Instead, legislate and regulate. I challenge republicans and democrats alike to put aside partisan politics, partisan philosophies, industry lobbying and wishes of campaign contributions and unanimously send to the White House a bill that will prevent a recurrence of these events. If you will do that, perhaps my family can take some solace in the fact that Eddie Lovelace’s public service continues even after death."

 

Eddie Lovelace was a public servant for some 50 years. He and Joyce were married nearly 56 years. Life will never be the same. The community will never be the same. 

 

 

Such a tragedy.

 

 

 

 

 

The president of the NECC, Barry Cadden, was subpoenaed to appear before the committee but chose not to testify, invoking his 5th Amendment right instead.

 

 

Conner Hall: Honoring Murl Conner

"I just sent one of my officers home. He was my S-2 (Intelligence Officer), Lt. Garlin M. Conner, who is from Aaron, Kentucky. I'm really proud of Lt. Conner. He probably will call you and, if he does, he may not sound like a soldier, will sound like any good old country boy, but, to my way of seeing, he's one of the outstanding soldiers of this war, if not THE outstanding." Lt. Col. Lloyd B. Ramsey, commander of the 3rd.bn.,3rd Div., 7th Inf., 7th Army. 

Conner's act of heroism happened near Hussein, France on January 24, 1945 at 0800 hours. Having just been wounded and laying in the hospital, Conner snuck away from it and ran back to his company at enemy lines. Just as he made it back to camp, he overheard talk that his commanding officer was needing to advance communication lines, and was looking for someone willing to run 400 yards directly into the enemy while unreeling a spool of telephone wire. Immediately, Conner grabbed the wire and off he went through the impact area of an intense concentration of enemy artillery fire to direct friendly artillery on a force of six Mark VI tanks and tank destroyers, followed by 600 fanatical German infantrymen, which was assaulting in full fury the spearhead position held by his battalion. Along the way, as he unreeled the spool of telephone wire, he disregarded shells which exploded 25 yards from him and set up an observation post. For three hours, Lt. Conner lay in a shallow ditch as wave after wave of German infantry surged toward him, at times to within five yards of his position. As the last all-out German assault swept forward, he ordered his artillery to concentrate on his own position, resolved to die if necessary to halt the enemy. Friendly shells exploded within five yards of him, blanketing his position but Lt. Conner continued to direct artillery fire on the assault elements swarming around him until the German attack was shattered and broken. Murl Conner was individually credited with stopping more than 150 Germans, destroying all the tanks and completely disintegrating the powerful enemy assault force and preventing heavy loss of life in his own outfit.

Sadly, Conner was never awarded the Medal of Honor for his act of heroism. Due to the heat of the battle that day, the commanding officer did not take the time to do the necessary paperwork. Conner came back home to a hero's parade and then resumed his life on the farm and raised up his own family. He never spoke of what he did during the war to anyone, not even his family. But, what he did was earn the Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart with silver oak leaf cluster, Silver Star with four oak leaf clusters and the Bronze Star. He was also awarded the highest French medal, the Croix de Guerre. Many of his battle records were lost.

The records that do exist officially document that Conner repeatedly risked his life under enemy fire to capture and disable numerous enemy positions with grim ferocity. What he didn’t mention was that he was wounded at least seven times during 29 months of nearly continuous combat service, but he refused to accept Purple Hearts for most of the wounds. One of his wounds was so severe that he was told he may never walk again, but he did walk. Also what he never spoke about was the many times that he risked his life to save others, and how that he more than once volunteered to take the point on the most dangerous patrols.

Nothing of his heroic act on January 24, 1945 was ever mentioned until Richard Chilton, a former Green Beret from Genoa City, Wisconsin, discovered it while researching information about an uncle who served in the same unit as Conner. Because of Chilton, resolutions were introduced in both the 108th and 109th Congress, authorizing the President to award a Medal of Honor posthumously to Lt. Conner. However, it is yet to be done.

TACOM FMX Dedicates Buildings

The Army has recognized Murl Conner's heroism more than once. On October 3rd this year, Tank-Automotive and Armaments Commands Fleet Management Expansion Directorate dedicated one of its newest buildings in honor of him. One of two buildings, (buildings 5405 and 5415, which collectively make up the Maneuver Center of Excellence Combat Equipment Maintenance Complex), was named Conner Hall, in honor of the late Aaron, Kentucky native. Conner Hall will service hundreds of tanks and Bradley's in a given year. The other building was named in honor of Joseph Williams, who emigrated to America in 1924, and who played a significant role in World War II by helping develop the M4 series of tanks and later the T-series tanks.

During the ceremony, Dave Carter, deputy director for the Integrated Logistics Support Center, which oversees FMX, said "We're here today to honor two very special people. We're honoring them because of their exceptional and extraordinary character and contributions to our Army and our country. Our hope is that in naming the Joe Williams Maintenance Facility and Conner Hall, we'll pay tribute to their dedication and inspire future generations of Soldiers and civilians … to do what Joe Williams and Lt. Conner did -- live beyond (yourself)."

"It's a great honor," said his wife, Pauline Conner, of the building dedication. "He was … my hero. When he came back after his service, our county had a parade in his honor. I had never seen him before, but I had heard so much about him." Conner said her husband was a very moral man, and the legacy she hopes he leaves behind is one of patriotism and respect for his nation.

Conner Hall maintains light tracked vehicles of about 36 tons and below, while the Joe Williams Maintenance Facility handles heavy tracked vehicles weighing up to 70 tons. Memorial plaques, bearing the names of Conner and Williams, are posted at the entrance to the facilities.

Lt. Conner served in the same 3rd Infantry Division as Audie Murphy, who has always been recognized as America's most decorated hero of all wars, but the Medal of Honor would give Conner one more award than Murphy, who earned one less Silver Star for gallantry than Lt. Conner's four.

I have written stories of Murl Conner's heroic acts more than once, and I will continue to do so, because awarding him the Medal of Honor is the right thing to do. As Chilton once said, "I do not have the option to give up as long as someone will listen." 

A portion of this story was written by Cheryl Rodewig. For more information about the dedication ceremony for Conner Hall, visit www.army.mil

The Old Rugged Cross - 100th Anniversary

It was 100 years ago this year that the Reverend George Bennard wrote what many consider to be the most beloved hymn of all time, "The Old Rugged Cross." "I seemed to have a vision . . . I saw the Christ and the cross inseparable," he wrote in his memoirs. He wrote the song over a month in 1912 as he traveled to revival meetings. The melody came easily, but he labored over the words in the four verses and refrain. The hymn, published in 1913, was immediately successful. Bennard (pronounced Benn-ARD), who was born in Youngstown, Ohio, was the son of George and Margaret Russell Bennard, of Scottish descent. The couple, who had five other children, moved their family to Albia, Iowa, where the senior Bennard ran a tavern. When the tavern burned, the father turned to mining coal. An accident led to his death at 49, forcing young George, at 16, to support his mother and sisters as a miner. In 1895, at age 24, Bennard became a minister when he enlisted in the Salvation Army at Rock Island, Illinois. By 1898, he was conducting revival meetings throughout the Midwest, later transferring to New York, where he resigned in 1910 to go out on his own as a Methodist evangelist. It was at that time that he began composing hymns. Bennard settled at Albion, Michigan and opened his own hymn publishing company. It was there that he likely began writing The Old Rugged Cross. The hymn was first sung formally at a revival meeting at Pokagon, Michigan. Evangelist Billy Sunday popularized the hymn on his nationally broadcast radio show. By 1939, more than 15 million copies had been sold and numerous recordings made. In all, Bennard composed about 350 hymns but none was as successful as "The Old Rugged Cross." He died of asthma in Reed City, Michigan on October 10, 1958.

A New Star Spangled Banner!

Sing 'Star Spangled Banner' your own way, says Geoffrey O'Hara, Noted Composer Has Revised National Anthem. "Discovered: The True Way to Sing The Star Spangled Banner.'"

When this headline appeared in a New York paper it may have carried a bit of a jolt to the worthy few who for years had risen with the first strains of the national anthem to sing unfalteringly to the last note. By this same virtue undoubtedly many who had hummed, rejoiced and secretly resolved to learn the words. But what New Yorkers thought may never be known, for as the story unfolded it developed that the true way to sing The Star Spangled Banner was "everybody's way or, the people's way," according to Geoffrey O'Hara, the famous composer and Irish tenor, who ultimately brought the revision we sing today to the American public. O'Hara had long resented the fact that an American audience must sing its own national anthem in someone elses way. He believed that the American public had a very definite idea and a certain unanimity of self expression when allowed to sing the song unguided, and he decided to let the people settle the question.

Phonograph records were made of various audiences singing without direction. Three of these audiences in New York had twenty-five hundred or more in the house. When later these records were compared, O'Hara was able to prove that the people did not sing "The Star Spangled Banner" in the original Francis Scott Key key or in the way of the United States Army and Navy ,or in the version of the American Board of Education, yet universally they sang it exactly the same way, the way of the people. 

It was about this time that O'Hara was asked to prepare an arrangement of the anthem to be sung by the Mendelssohn Choir of Toronto in New York. So, guided by his phonograph records and his experience as  song leader in the army, where he found the men sang their national anthem in the same unauthorized way, regardless of their native state, he proceeded to produce a new "Star Spangled Banner."

"The Star Spangled Banner", was ordered played at military and naval occasions by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, but was not designated the national anthem by an Act of Congress until 1931. In September 1814, during the War of 1812, the British arrested Dr. William Beanes, an American accused of sending three British soldiers to jail. He was held aboard a British ship stationed off the Baltimore coast. Francis Scott Key, a well-known lawyer and poet, was asked to secure the doctor’s release. Departing from Baltimore, Key and Colonel Skinner, a U.S. agent in charge of American prisoner exchange, set sail on a small boat in search of the British ship. Flying a flag of truce, they sailed for several days before they spotted and, soon after, boarded it. Initially, British commanders refused to be swayed by Key’s arguments to free Dr. Beanes. When Key presented letters from wounded British soldiers who had been treated fairly by Dr. Beanes, they relented. Unfortunately, Key, Skinner, and Dr. Beanes had heard about preparations for an upcoming attack while on board. They were not permitted to return to Baltimore and were escorted under guard to their boat.

Early in the morning of September 13, 1814, Key, Skinner, and Dr. Beanes watched from their boat as the British attacked Fort McHenry. Rockets streaked across the sky and cannons boomed. Some time before dawn, the dark skies fell silent. Unknown to the three men, the British had decided to abandon the assault.

As dawn drew nearer and nearer, Key searched for a sign through the clearing smoke. Had Fort McHenry fallen? When daylight finally arrived, the American flag waved gallantly in the breeze. The sight so moved Key that he began writing a poem on the back of a letter retrieved from his pocket. He completed the poem later in his Baltimore hotel room.

The following morning, Key showed the poem to his brother-in-law, Judge J. H. Nicholson. Nicholson liked the poem so much, he had it printed under the title, “Defense of Fort McHenry,” and distributed it throughout Baltimore. Nicholson also suggested the words be put to the tune of “To Anacreon in Heaven,” a song which was popular in America at the time and happened to be a British drinking song.

In October 1814, a Baltimore actor sang the song at Captain McCauley’s tavern, though he called it the “Star-Spangled Banner.” It was an immediate success.

Over the years, the Star-Spangled Banner grew in popularity. In 1889, the Secretary of the Navy made it the official song for all flag raisings. Later, in 1916, Woodrow Wilson, our twenty-eighth president, boosted its status further. He proclaimed it the national anthem of all the armed forces. But it was not until the 1918 World Series that the song took hold of America during a game that almost didn’t happen. America had been involved in World War I for a year. Out of respect for the soldiers, baseball officials wanted to cancel the World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs. When it became known, however, that American soldiers fighting in France were eager to know the Series’ results, the games commenced. To honor these brave men, the officials had the band play the Star-Spangled Banner during the seventh-inning stretch of the first game. And, the rest is history. Soon it became tradition to play the Star-Spangled Banner at all baseball games and, eventually, nearly all sporting events.

 

Geoffrey O'Hara