Page 28
October 2010
Mystical, magical — Dixie Haygood comes to life on the local stage Harringtons present an evening with Dixie Haygood to benefit Old Capital Museum By VALERIE NIBLETT One of Milledgeville’s many mysteries lies quietly in Memory Hill Cemetery under an unassuming concrete and granite marker. Dixie Annie Jarratt Haygood, world traveler and renowned performer known as “The Little Georgia Magnet,” rests beneath an ancient cedar tree in cool shade. Her life was filled with personal tragedy and home grown mystical magic that enthralled audiences across the globe in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Milledgeville writers/historians Susan and Hugh Harrington recently coauthored the book “Annie Abbott: ‘The Little Georgia Magnet’ and the True Story of Dixie Haygood” depicting Haygood’s complex and interesting life both on and off the vaudeville stage. The Harringtons were fortunate to come in contact with a handful of Haygood’s descendants who allowed them access to her papers, autograph book and diaries. In doing so, they were able to delve into the true existence of this incredible woman and pull together the intimate pieces and details of her life. Haygood adopted the stage name Annie Abbott and perfected The Annie Abbott Act. She stood out among the crowd as “The Little Georgia Magnet” because of her ability to stick to the ground despite her 96 pounds and several strong men attempting to lift her. She was said to be able to hold a pool cue upright with a light touch as men attempted to force it to the ground. Other recounts of her fame include the ability to lift a man from the floor with a mere touch of her hands. She claimed to have had these incredible abilities from a young age and never referred to them as “tricks.” She easily captured the attention of the world, its European royalty and even the famous magician Harry Houdini. In honor of Dixie and to celebrate her awe-inspiring life, The Old Capital Historical Society presents for the first time in nearly a century “An Evening with Dixie Haygood” performed at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28 at the Goldstein Center of the Performing Art on the Georgia Military College campus. Susan Harrington will portray Haygood and a portion of her stage show as well as present snippets of her life. “The event began as a book signing and talk,” said Harrington. In preparation for the discussion, a dif-
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“The performance will be historically accurate & performed as if Annie Abbott herself is on stage,”
ferent idea struck the couple and Dixie Haygood began to come alive. Again. Portrayed in the first person as Dixie herself, Harrington will display exhibitions of strength against three burly GMC football players as well as other fetes particular to Haygood’s famed stage performance. “The performance will be historically accurate and performed as if Annie Abbott herself is on stage,” added Harrington. This spectacular evening will be filled with the magical mystery that surrounds Dixie Haygood as the woman she was and Annie Abbott as the mystical being she portrayed on stage. A donation to Georgia’s Old Capital Museum will be accepted as admission to the event. The Harringtons will sign copies of their book “Annie Abbott: ‘The Little Georgia Magnet’ and the True Story of Dixie Haygood,” which will be available for purchase following the performance. This is a must-see event!