‘Family’ feeling fading in Jacksonville’s mill area

Mrs. Mae Ford of 21 A St has lived in the village – to the west of the square and mostly down hill – more than 50 years.

“I married here in the Methodist church in town and I’ve lived in number 4, 21, and 41,” she said “I’ve raised my family here and made my steps right in here.” the silver-haired woman said as she looked over some pictures of mill workers taken in 1906.
“It’s the best neighborhood to live in,” she said “The older ones were just like a family. If one got in trouble, the others would go to help them.”

Mrs. Ford raised six children in the village, not an unusual number for the 1930s and 1940s she said.

“Everybody had five or six or seven children” she recalled “Nobody could afford anything for Christmas except for a red wagon for the whole family.
“There’re no children around anymore.”

Mrs. Ford worked in the Profile Cotton Mill for 34 years before she quit in 1955. “I spooled for 14 years. I also was an extra. I worked wherever they needed me. I’ve done everything in all the mills.”
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Mrs. Ford said living in a company-owned house was convenient.

“It was close and handy,” she said “I could run out when I’d catch up with my work and check on my children. It was a good settlement.”

Living in the village was also economical.
Mrs. Ford worked when the company had an order and usually brought home $32 a month. Her late husband who also worked at the mill, made less than that for years she said.
From their earnings, they paid the company $4.80 a month in rent and bought groceries at the Profile Store on B Street.
What they didn’t buy, they raised in gardens, hog pens and company-owned cow pastures.
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“I just had a few tomatoes and cucumbers this year,” Mrs. Ford said. “When you get 74, it’s time to slow down. I still cut my grass though, and walk to town and church.”

Also featured in the article:
Jud Harrelson of 54 B st, James Jocko Martin of 1 A st, James Harbin of 94 c st, Mrs. Bertha Barnwell of 116 D st, Treda Bonds of 55 B st, Sandy Barnwell of 44 B st.

THE ANNISTON STAR, 77 (Monde Murphy) Excerpt