It is with heavy heart that I must inform you, dear reader, of the passing of one of our most cherished and noble members.. Mrs. Ruthetta Walls Justice passed away last week after a long struggle with a brain tumor. Mrs. Ruthetta was one of the very dearest persons I have ever had the privilege of working with. Mr. Harvey (our chairman) had some very heartwarming thoughts about Ruthetta that he shared with those of us attending services last Friday night (12-14-04). 

Ruthetta was absolutely the BEST salesman we have ever had to my knowledge.. selling Historical Society Calendars, cookbooks, etc. Plus, she and Tommy had such a broad range of friends.

I had decided to dedicate this year's calendar to Ruthetta prior to her passing. I will share that dedication with you here.....

I have never dedicated a calendar in the four years I have been authoring them. This year I am making an exception for a singularly outstanding lady, Mrs. Ruthetta Walls Justice. Easily one of the most gracious ladies I have ever known, Mrs. Ruthetta is, at the time of this writing, very, very sick, with a very uncertain prognosis. That is not the reason I am dedicating this calendar to her. It is, rather, but a token tribute to her indomitable spirit and unshakeable faithfulness. Ruthetta has been not only a member but a true friend: to her loved ones, acquaintances, Historical Society brethren, and to me. Ruthetta was one of my mother’s best friends as a young lady growing up in Oliver Springs, and always had the most heartwarming and gracious things to say about her. Ruthetta has been quite a champion with regard to these calendars, selling more than most all of the rest of us combined. We would sell two or three, and Ruthetta would sell thirty at a time. That’s just the way she thinks. Would to heaven that more of us could "think big".

Been downtown in the last 24 hours? No?...... Then you obviously haven't seen the spanking new Victorian style street lights around the Historic Depot. I got a call from the contractor, Jim McCrary, that they were up and percolating, so I grabbed my digital camera and scooted on down to take this pic. These lights have been in the works for some time. We also have had the Christmas lights overhauled, and they also are shining brightly. It sure was a delightful sight to behold, and just in time for Christmas. Ain't they pretty? I knew you'd agree......

Calendars...This calendar has been both a pleasure and a challenge to author and publish. I am gratified that the Historical Society calendars have been so well received in the previous three years I have done them.

This year I got some very special help from a family that has been gone from Oliver Springs for almost 100 years.This past summer I was contacted by a lady named Toni Ray from California who informed me that her grandmother Edith Ross was born and raised to young adulthood in Oliver Springs just before the dawn of the 20th century. After Edith’s marriage, she moved to California, where she lived the remainder of her life. Toni has graciously provided us with the most exquisite photos of our town from that era, and some of them are reprinted herein. The old downtown picture, the Donovan Train Wreck picture, the original springhouse picture, the group on the porch of Colonial Hall, Fred Butler in front of the old Oliver Springs School, all came from the collection of Edith Ross. Without the generosity of Toni and her mother, none of these pictures would even be known to us. Thanks so much, Toni…

Special kudos are also in order to Mr. Jim Turner for the splendid colorization of the Oliver springs Hotel that graces the cover. Mr. Turner has been a lawyer and publisher, politician and mayor, for many years in this town and area. It was in Mr. Turner’s newspaper, The Citizen, that many of Snyder Roberts’ writings first saw the light of day. Jim Turner has so many talents, and now we find out that he is an accomplished artist as well. Thanks, Mr. Turner. 

Chock full of new (to us) pictures and informative articles, the calendar is one of the best ways to connect with our proud past. Plus, it is one of, if not the biggest fundraisers for our group. Cars run on gas, cows run on grass, and the Historical Society runs on dues, donations, good will, and calendar sales. If you are one of the many who order each year for Christmas, please get your order in as soon as possible so we can make certain all your stockings will be duly and properly stuffed.

This is a good time to mention that we at the Oliver Springs Historical Society just LOOOOVVVE to hear from our friends scattered on the four winds. Drop me an email and let me know how you are and how you came to this site. Whether a love of Oliver Springs or just fondness for all things historical, I'd love to hear about it. Robbieu41@comcast.net is the straight shot to my desk and my attention.

More to come……

Robbie Underwood

Oh, by the way... if you're not currently a member of The Oliver Springs Historical Society, you're missing the chance to be a part of one of the most dynamic groups of its kind anywhere. Click on the Historic hotel for info on joining...

Coming to Oliver Springs? Be sure and stop by the Historic Depot. Inside you will find a splendid array of pictures, artifacts, displays, etc., from our proud past. Bringing a group? Let us know and we might be able to arrange for someone to guide you in your sightseeing.

contact robbieu41@comcast.net

More to come....

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