If a tree falls on a mime in the forest, will it make a sound?

Think about that awhile......

Well, since you hadn't called, I figgered I should check in on you all and see if you were still in the land of the living.  It's been awhile since my last post here on the Historical Society pages, The Christmas and new year holidays are well past.. I do hope you had a wonderful time, and that your families were able to spend time together. You know, we all make a big deal about the food, presents, music, etc., but it's really more about the loved ones you get to gather around you at those special times. And you know, we are only allotted so many of those special seasons; it's just the way it is. So, I hope you were able to make it all it should have been.

Our December meeting was a very good one, indeed. We were fortunate to have Dr. Julian Ahler from Kingston as our guest and speaker. Dr. Ahler is descended from the Joseph and Johanna Ahler family that came here to Oliver Springs in the latter part of the 1800's. Originally from Austria, they came here, no doubt, to seek the better life that was rumored to be found here in the States. Our dear friend, the late Mr. McAdoo Bruington, remembered going into the Ahler home with his father, Preacher C.L. Bruington of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. McAdoo told how they were warmly received with refreshments by the Ahlers, adding that Joseph and Johanna, who spoke little or no English, would expound at length in their native Germanic tongue, then sit and beam while their children made the translation.

Shown above are the parents of Johanna Ahler. They were Mueckes, and were farmers in Austria. Click on images to see enlarged version)

The Ahler home was on the hill where Cecil and Pat Crowe now make their home with son Greg. Seen above are mother Johanna at left, Herman front left at fence, father Josef on porch, son Adolph at gate, and son Gus at far right.

The house shown above is the original Ahler house. It was replaced by a much larger two story frame house soon after this picture was taken. The "new" Ahler house burned to the ground 20 or 25 years ago. I recall going into the house with some of my wife's family that had the notion of buying the house. The Ahlers were fine folks who gave a lot to the town. Son Herman was a master builder and brickmason who is responsible for many of the proud brick edifices that exist in town to this day, to wit: The Oliver Springs Drug Store, Sienknecht's Store, The Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and (probably) the Oliver Springs Banking Company.

Herman Ahler was arguably the most accomplished brickmason to come this way. Herman died around 1927, but the work of his hands bears strong and graceful testomony to his skill and craft..........

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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