OPINION
A Section
w w w.c h iple y pap er.c om
Page 4
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Guest COLUMN
What Congress needs to do about the NSA Washington is Constitution have been beginning to debate deferential to national the proper extent security authorities, of government raising a few questions eavesdropping from time to time, powers in the but in the end wake of Edward approving all but Snowden’s a handful of tens revelations of thousands of about the NSA. data-gathering It’s hardly requests. as robust a And the discussion American people, LEE H. as it should by their lack HAMILTON be, but it’s a of widespread desperately needed outrage, have signaled start. that in this one case, The colossal effort at least, they believe to monitor Americans’ the government can be communications has trusted to keep us safe. been going on for at In short, Congress least seven years, — the forum where under two presidents. It issues of such national constitutes an expansion importance should be of government power hashed out — missed without precedent in its chance to lead a the modern era. Yet reasoned national debate while some members of over how extensive Congress were informed we want surveillance about it — and all had over Americans’ the opportunity to communications to be. learn — none saw an It’s unlikely that genie urgent need for public can ever again be forced discussion. This is back into its bottle. astounding. It took the Yet even the director actions of a leaker to of national intelligence, spur any real airing of James Clapper — who the matter on Capitol once denied point-blank Hill. to Congress that the Even now, it seems government collects unlikely that Congress data on millions of will make significant Americans — now sees policy changes. the need for some sort of That’s because all the change. “We can do with nation’s key actors and more oversight and give institutions appear people more confidence to approve of the in what we do,” he said in surveillance programs. a mid-September speech. By its silence, Congress Yes, indeed. Here’s clearly supported the problem: once given them. Presidents Bush power, the government and Obama backed rarely yields it. So you them. The intelligence have to think not only community, a powerful about its present use, voice on national but how it will be used security issues, has a decade or even more resolutely defended from now. Even if you them. The courts that concede that the current are supposed to keep them in line with the See HAMILTON A5
Washington County
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RANDAL SEYLER | The News
Francis Hays wrapped up his 60-year career as a barber in Chipley on Friday, Sept. 27.
‘The news is out all over town’
The Hank Williams country music hit of years gone by began with “The news is out all over town....” could easily be concluded with the Prattler’s words — “that Francis Hays is shutting the barber shop down!” The following sign has adorned his barber shop window PERRY’S for a full month, PRATTLE confirming the news Perry Wells which had been rumored for some time. “After 60 years, Hays Barber Shop is closing its door. No more cuts, shaves or hot lather, for sure. This shops holds many memories I will never forget. From babies’ first haircuts, and saying ‘goodbye’ to dear friends. This place holds the memory of marrying the love of my life. It’s time I take off my shoes, kick back, and spend time with my wife. I, and my family, thank you for the many years of true service God Bless You, Francis Hayes.” (The hand written notation reads: “Retire’ Sept. 27, 2013”) Francis Hays has been cutting hair in Chipley, at the same location, adjacent to the Capital City Bank, since 1953. At the time of his birth in 1933, his father, Oscar Hays was already teamed up with an uncle, Lem Hays, and were operating a barbershop on Main Street in
Chipley. These two barbers became legends in the town. Haircuts were 25 cents, shaves 15 cents and the “shoeshine boy” was paid a nickel for a sporty shoeshine. Linda Hays Cook, Francis’s sister, presently serving as Clerk of Court for Washington County, wrote in the “Heritage of Washington Book” that her dad and uncle always described the barber shop as where “one could get a ‘side wall’ haircut, a close shave and all the gossip you needed to hear, all in this one little barber shop on Main Street in Chipley, Florida.” Francis reports that for some unknown reason, the father, Oscar, moved his hair cutting business to the present location sometime in the early 1950s, leaving his brother, Lem, alone. Soon after moving, Francis’ brother, Harvey Hays, joined his dad as a licensed barber in the business. Sadly, Oscar Hays, died suddenly and unexpected at the age of 53, leaving Harvey to continue in the shop alone. Francis was employed in construction when Harvey approached him as a possible partner. It sounded interesting so he immediately enrolled in barber training, received a barber license and joined his brother in the new venture. According to Francis, Harvey left the shop within two weeks of
his joining the operation. He was hired by the Florida Department of Transportation, where he worked until retirement. He did some Saturday part-time hair cutting for a few months but soon gave that up. Since that time, 1953, Francis Hays has cut hair as a one-man operation at the same shop for 60 years! In the history of the local barber profession, Norman Kirkland, Jr. well known as Junior Kirkland, joined the uncle, Lem Hays, in the original barber shop. Lem Hays passed away shortly and Junior moved just around the corner from the first location and completed his career. Rex Kirkland, brother to Junior, married Francis’s sister, Pat Hays. He became a barber and opened his shop in Cottondale where he cut hair for many years. Their son, Brad Kirkland, also chose barbering and operated a shop in Bonifay before leaving for health reasons. Ironically, a man by the name of Maxwell Hays came on the scene as a barber in Chipley in the early 1970s after retirement from military service, working part time for Junior Kirkland. The mother of the Hays children was Thelma Brock Hays, who died at a young age. The oldest brother, Marcus, is also deceased.
See PRATTLE A5
‘And another one bites the dust’ For about as long as I can remember, a big two-story block building has dominated the corner of north Waukesha and North Ave at the traffic light in Pepper Town. This week, Tim Steverson, Machine Shop manager of Holmes Tool and Engineering Company called and said Lex Bynum manager of the Welding Department said, “It’s coming down. You better HAPPY CORNER call Mrs. Tison.” He Hazel Wells Tison said that on Friday, the building owned by the engineering company is being demolished. They have been cited by the city as an eyesore and safety hazard and at a cost of more than $30, 000, the building will be razed. The last use of the building was as a hardware store owned by Weldon and Betty Miles. I remember buying a set of Blue Danube pottery dishes for my daughter-in-law, Judy Tison, when the Miles had the hardware there. She still has most of those dishes. When our children were small, Cox Supermarket in that building was our main grocery store. On Fridays when Jack was able to ride to Bethlehem School with Mr. Segers (T.E.), Betty and I would get our children cleaned up and go grocery shopping at Cox’s. The thing I remember most about Betty was that she would never leave her house until everything was neat.
Photo by HAZEL WELLS TISON
This historic two-story building in downtown Bonifay has been demolished. All laundry was folded and put away; toys were picked up. Sometimes she’d even walk down the “old road” with Tommy, Kathy and Vicky to our house and she’d straighten up my house, too. I’ve tried to recall who worked for Mr. Cox. I think Mrs. Myrtle Butler worked there. In fact, I was under the impression that she and husband, James, owned the building. I think Mr. Newsome was the meat cutter behind a meat case where you ordered the cuts you wanted. No pre-cut packaged cuts. I asked Jennifer Cloud if she remembered the Cox store as the Manuel family had a store across
Highway 79, but the only memory she could recall was buying her Daddy, John, a fountain pen for a birthday present at the store. She also remembered playing with the Bethel’s daughter who lived in one of the upstairs apartment. Sarah Smith remembered her cousins, W.E and Eloise Hilson and daughter Karen living in the north side apartment living. Jennifer referred me to her sister Joan Dowling. Joan recalled that Mr. Warren Cox had a son, Joe, who was her age. They played together sometimes.
See HAPPY A5