CMYK 4B
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The Paper | Thursday, March 29, 2012
HHAC makes communications a top priority
Dr. L.C. Allen’s home connects present to past Excerpt from Passing: Stories through the History of Hoschton & Braselton by Robbie Bettis Dr. L. C. Allen moved to Hoschton in 1894 purchasing lots 5 through 12 from Jack Witt. He placed his shingle as doctor and pharmacist first on a house on Hall Street* and later on an existing building right smack dab in the middle of Hoschton, Georgia. He was a handsome man who was tall with dark hair, which he wore in a neat style gently combed back and short around the collar. He was fastidiously neat from his head to his toe with his dark suit and gold watchchain draped across his vest. But the most auspicious feature of Dr. Allen was his handle bar mustache. He spoke in a proper accent and was himself addressed in a very proper fashion as Doctor Allen, never as doc or called by his first name or initials, and cordially greeted “Yes sir” and “No sir.” Lisbon Cyrus Allen was born April 1, 1862, in Forsyth County, Georgia to John Fisher and Amanda Prudence Allen. His great grandparents were early pioneers who farmed tobacco and cotton in the fertile lands of Virginia. L.C.’s father was a schoolteacher who died in Vicksburg serving in the Confederate Army. The family was left without money and means of support. As a small boy he was forced to seek work to help support his
mother and himself. He was adamant about completing his education. This could be accomplished from time to time as his funds permitted. He saved enough money to enter college. At the age of sixteen, L. C. followed in his father’s footsteps and became a teacher and continued to attend school as well. He developed a good reputation as a teacher, which helped him prosper financially. A health condition for which a doctor prescribe he take up a more active career and get out of the classroom led him to begin studying medicine at the University of Georgia where he graduated in 1888 with an M.D. degree. Upon graduation he began his professional practice in Hoschton. There were other established doctors in the flourishing town of Hoschton. In fact, Dr. L. C. Allen had competition from Dr. Darby and Dr. DeLaPerriere. At first he did not have many patients because everyone knew the other doctors and were fearful of a new doctor they did not know. One person suggested to Dr. Allen that he advertise a bit and make people think he is very busy. So Dr. Allen hitched up his buggy one morning and headed south in a hurry. Later that afternoon he hurriedly traveled through town northward. He had no reason to hurry other than to make people think he was racing to help a very sick patient. He did the same thing a few times more and pretty soon the town’s folk started to visit
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The Dr. L.C. Allen home in Hoschton will be the scene of an April 14 open house and work day in preparation for the May 12 grand opening celebration. this very facetiously busy doctor. The doctor’s wife was Alice Elizabeth Bartlett Allen who was of English decent and one of her ancestors, Josiah Bartlett was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Mrs. Allen was a dainty lady who displayed very proper etiquette and manners, which is noted of her English background. She lived in Augusta and met L.C. when he attended the medical college. The Allen’s first child, Arpah Alvah, was born on Feb. 17, 1894 and died on Sept. 3 of the same year. Maudi Allen Anderson was born Oct. 20, 1893. Myron Bartlett Allen was born in Hoschton on Feb. 25, 1895. A third child Alberta Elsee was born on Aug. 11, 1896 and died on Sept. 8, 1897. Myrtice Elizabeth was born Oct. 7, 1900. The Allen’s second home just off the main strip of town was a beautiful twostory white Victorian style home with a red roof. A huge veranda, with an extension, which resembled a gazebo, circled the front and side and contained a red roof matching the top of the house. Mrs. Allen and friends would often sit on the huge porch,
talk about the progress of the town and fan the hot breezes in the spring and summer. A white picket fence adorned the yard. Both the house and fence had to be painted often because of the dust and dirt from the streets. Mrs. Allen adored her huge kitchen where she could bake at her heart’s desire. Dr. Allen owned land directly behind his home. He hired an overseer to help with raising cows and horses. This person made sure the horses and buggies were in tiptop shape for medical calls. The Dr. L.C. Allen Home The home Dr. Allen built one block off the main road in central downtown Hoschton was across the street from his first practice in what is now Hoschton City Hall. The white wood frame home is a three-story Victorian building with veranda. It has four rooms and a large kitchen on the first level and three rooms on the second floor. The third floor is one large area. The home has central heat and air, a security system and was renovated approximately eight years prior. The third floor was not completely finished.
AUTHORS from page 3B
Writers to share information about the publishing world as they sell and sign copies of their latest books tions specialist. Two of those years were in South East Asia during the Vietnam War. While there he was filing away all sorts of information to be used in his military cartoons years later. He also spent many years in the corporate world gathering information for business cartoons years later. He has been working as a full-time free lance cartoonist for nearly 10 years and is a member of the prestigious National Cartoonists Society (NCS). He currently produces Saints Fun Facts, a weekly religious cartoon distributed by Catholic Online Services. Additionally, he produces a twice weekly military web comic panel titled INCOMING! Sheppard also teaches cartoon drawing classes and workshops at libraries, after school programs andart centers and has taught students from kindergarten to senior citizens. His book of a compilation of his twice weekly military cartoon panels. Grace Collins Grace Collins is author of “Finding Grace, The Memoirs of an Adopted Woman’s Search.” “First and foremost this is a love story. It’s a story about a woman who gave me life, a woman who gave me a life, and the daughter whose life was forever changed by a search for a picture,” said Collins. About two years ago I felt the need to know who I looked like. Growing up as an adopted child, I did not resemble any of my family members. I made the decision to search for my birth mother and this was the most profoundly life-altering decision I have ever made. I hope my story will touch the lives of many others because it is one of hope, love and family,” said Collins. Dr. Carol Holzhalb Dr. Carol Holzhalb is the author of historical children’s books, The Whistle and a book on the Civilian Conservation Corps.
“I wanted to write something for beginning readers, something that would excite them,” she said, her eyes growing wide with zeal. Drawing from personal observation and the accounts of her father and uncle who both worked on the railroad, Holzhalb recreates the tale of the flipping and righting of Gainesville Midland’s Engine 208. Holzhalb remembered the story after about 40 years while in the car with her 2year-old grandson, Andrew. She told him the story to quiet him down, but genuine interest in the tale planted an idea in Holzhalb’s mind. As Holzhalb mused about the story and her grandson, the idea for the book flourished. Soon “The Whistle” was not the only story she wanted told to the next generation. During her yearlong struggle to self-publish 500 copies of “Whistle,” she began to nurture ideas for subsequent books, one about the New
Deal’s Citizen Conservation Corps and another about rural church camp meetings. Jaclyn Weldon White Jaclyn Weldon White was born, raised and has lived all her life in the South. She was a police officer for six years. As a patrolman she investigated street crimes and traffic offenses. She worked for four years as a detective with the same department, investigating murders, sex crimes, burglaries and other offenses. She left police work to take a position as administrator for a large metropolitan Atlanta juvenile court, a position she held for 16 years. She is the author of eight books and numerous articles which have appeared in local and regional magazines. Two of her books have become Mercer Press bestsellers. She is an avid cook and herb gardener, and designs and makes her own line of kiln-fired silver jewelry. She and her late husband Carl
have three living children and seven grandchildren. White shares her Hoschton home with a cat and a dog. Her latest biography is the story of W.L. Young Stribling, prizefighter in the 1920s, who lived fast and died tragically young at the age of 28. She also wrote The Empty Nursery: The Disappearance of Haley Hardwick. Robbie Bettis A retired educator, Robbie Bettis is a local businesswoman and a published author. Her “Passing: Stories Through the History of Hoschton and Braselton, Georgia” serves as a wonderful information source for anyone who wants to know more about the early years of these Jackson County communities. See an excerpt from “Passing” on this page related to the Dr. L.C. Allen Home which will become the headquarters for the Hoschton Heritage Arrts Council.
The Hoschton Heritage Arts Council has launched its website thanks to Debra Swantek-Brooks. The website is www.hoschtonheritageartscouncil.com and will be the main communications tool between the council and the public. “Communications with the public must be a priority for the HHAC. We are very fortunate to have a web master on our board,” said Robbie Bettis, president of the Board of Directors. “Since we are a nonprofit organization we will have to seek funds from membership fees, fund raisers and grants. “Debra is volunteering her time to develop an intricate part of any business today. A good website can make or break you. We will count on many wonderful volunteers to teach classes, work in the gift shop, cut grass, etc.,” said Bettis. Visitors to the website will find information on upcoming classes, membership fees, special events, volunteer needs and more. Items in the gift shop will be advertised and will be sold on line eventually. You may find information on theplanned April 14 open house and work day and the May 12 grand opening event. Volunteers are being recruited for the work day which will give the community a chance to see what the L.C. Allen House can become. Information is also available on the Hoschton Heritage Arts Festival on June 2. The event is replacing Art Trax and the Hoschton Business Alliance has thrown its support, including financial backing, to the Hoschton Heritage Arts Festival. One art instruction class is available for the spring. Sandra Stephens will conduct a Plein Air event on April 26 at Sell Mill on Jackson Trail Road in Hoschton. Interested individuals may find information on line. Plans are under way to offer more classes for the summer and the class offerings will continue to grow each season. People will be able to register for classes on line but they must pay by cash or check at this time. In the very near future, the HHAC will accept Paypal, and all major credit cards.
AUCTION from page 3B
Extravaganza to feature pasta dinner, auctions tickets are $10 each or three for $25. Tickets will also be available at The Braselton Antique and Gardening Festival April 28-29 in Braselton Park, located at 126 Harrison St. Join the two community organizations that share an emphasis on preserving the rich heritage of the Hoschton area for a night of fun while supporting art in the community. Auction items will include art pieces donated by local artists, the cruise package, home décor items, collectibles and more. A silent auction will also be held along with door prizes donated by local businesses. All proceeds will benefit The Hoschton Heritage Arts Council and The Hoschton Historical Commission. Preservation of the Dr. L.C. Allen Home will possibly become a joint project for the two organizations.