Baldwyn always had a city governing staff, and these are the ones most of us were familiar with early in our life. Lloyd Heflin was mayor at the time this photo was taken. He is seated to the rear of Dr. Bryson Shirley, on the left. Then to the right is Mack Jones, Claude Gentry, Paul "Popeye" Gentry and Jett Ford. Others in the background are not recognized.
They were the decision makers of the time, and the law enforcers were Slim Weldon (city marshal), Otis Mink (night watchman) and Jim Strange (constable). Mr. Will Kilpatrick was the former night watchman and sat in the middle of town in a chair reared back on a wall asleep before going on his "door-rattling" rounds. He retired long before the group shown here was formed.
The mayor's office and jail was under the Palmer poolroom building once, but this photo was made at the city office on North Second Street across from Prather's Ford. If you recall, it was once damaged heavily by a fire that claimed two lives, but was repaired and is still in use. The city hall is now on South Second at Water Street in a newer building.
This is essentially the group I wrote about in an earlier blog post that previewed a movie entitled "The French Line" starring Jane Russell- that they deemed too risque to show to the Baldwyn patrons about 1954. The provocative dance number had to be removed. But, as I recall, they had to watch it twice just to be sure it was not proper and fitting for showing.
There was another city councilman that was pretty controversial in those days, James Preston McWhorter. He was the full-time city clerk if I am remembering correctly. I heard quite a few arguments between he and others many times.
Photo courtesy of Tootsie McVay via Dave Heflin
They were the decision makers of the time, and the law enforcers were Slim Weldon (city marshal), Otis Mink (night watchman) and Jim Strange (constable). Mr. Will Kilpatrick was the former night watchman and sat in the middle of town in a chair reared back on a wall asleep before going on his "door-rattling" rounds. He retired long before the group shown here was formed.
The mayor's office and jail was under the Palmer poolroom building once, but this photo was made at the city office on North Second Street across from Prather's Ford. If you recall, it was once damaged heavily by a fire that claimed two lives, but was repaired and is still in use. The city hall is now on South Second at Water Street in a newer building.
This is essentially the group I wrote about in an earlier blog post that previewed a movie entitled "The French Line" starring Jane Russell- that they deemed too risque to show to the Baldwyn patrons about 1954. The provocative dance number had to be removed. But, as I recall, they had to watch it twice just to be sure it was not proper and fitting for showing.
There was another city councilman that was pretty controversial in those days, James Preston McWhorter. He was the full-time city clerk if I am remembering correctly. I heard quite a few arguments between he and others many times.
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Photo courtesy of Tootsie McVay via Dave Heflin
Quite an impressive group and great picture of Popeye who was always a great upbeat person.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Popeye was the life of any gathering he would be near. He was a very "jocular" person, to quote the priest in MASH.
ReplyDeletePopeye was my employer for some 17 years off and on and believe you me, his sense of humor was surreal. He "FOUND" or made his own humor out of each and every situation no matter what. He reminded me of a lion in clown's make-up. He helped so many of Baldwyn's young men when it came time to purchase that "special" ring. I truly doubt if he made any real profit to speak of on many occasions. He was a 'down the road' thinker. His idea was that if he helped the young man with the purchase of the ring, then the future bride would make her china, crystal and silver pattern selections at his gift shop and since he was the only place in town to have those selections, he'd make up the difference on the ring price with the profits from the purchase of these gifts bought by the friends and family of the couple. So in a way I suppose you could say the ring was purchased by everyone involved in the entire wedding assembly. Besides the gift for the bride and groom purchased for one another usually at his store, there were the gifts bought for the bridesmaides and groomsmen, the engraved napkins,the wedding registry book, the shower registry book, etc. Then you couldn't overlook the free gift wrapping and free delivery and set up of same to the church or wherever.Popeye was definitely a man before his time. I bet even Sam Walton could have gotten some good pointers from Popeye's business practices. He was not only a good businessman but a good friend to any and all who knew him and you just let a child walk in needing a gift for his mom or dad with only a few pennys in his pocket. The kid left with a beautifully wrapped package because Popeye "looked down the road" once gain. He was a very loving, kind and giving person. I never had a better job in my life.
ReplyDeleteClarene, why don't you fill us in on who all he was related to--which Gentrys' he was related to and so forth, I don't think I ever thought about it much til now--tnx
ReplyDeleteJohn M
Does anyone know where the nickname "Popeye" came from?
ReplyDeleteJohn M
Popeye was a brother to Tom, who worked with him, Moffit, Lamar, Enoch's dad JP? and I think some sisters.
ReplyDeleteI have to give Dr Shirley his proper "due". He capped my teeth in 1954, everything was done there in his office, the molds made and the caps cast in a small kiln -- I still have each and every cap, each one has been there for 54 years, how does glue work that long? He was a good dentist and I don't think many people have dental work that lasts so long-- so I say "Thanks Bryson--you did a good job"
ReplyDeleteJohn M
Hey, does anyone remember when a few of the "boys" would shoot cherry bombs over the buildings on Main St? We would wait til the patrol car was going down Clayton St and would use a slingshot, the cherry bomb was lite while the slingshot was fully stretched and it would go over the buildings down to Clayton and go off near the patrol car, (we all ran like the devil-- I didn't do it though
ReplyDeleteJohn M
I'm afraid my dental work didn't last as long as Melvin's - that flossing, I guess - but I still remember what the dentist I went to in Indiana said upon examining that "the dental work was done with a real flair". He seemed to really admire the work.
ReplyDelete"when a few of the "boys" would shoot cherry bombs over the buildings on Main St?"
ReplyDeleteI remember those Halloween nights well, and if we had cherry bombs any other time of the year we would do that.
Wups, did I say "we"? I didn't do it either, JM....
Paul Norris "Popeye" Gentry died at the age of 59. He was married to Ramona Cummings and had one son named Hunter. He had one sister, Edna, and 6 brothers, J.P., Lamar, Moffitt,Charles, Thomas and Curtis.
ReplyDeleteHe got the name Popeye, or so he told me, because he wore his jewelers loupe in his actual eye by squinting to hold it in instead of one like Thomas who wore his on the temple piece of his eyeglasses. When Popeye looked up from his bench you saw a large eyeball staring back at you, henseforth the name POPEYE.
Tnx Clarene, you're the best--
ReplyDeleteJohn M
Popeye or Paul as the family called him was a great guy. He was a favorite with nieces and nephews and there are several nephews named after him and one grandson. Of the 7 only 3 remain. Edna, 88yrs old, Charles, 80 in Aug. And Curtis, 76.
ReplyDeleteA family member.