SCENE IN PASSING
MARIE WHITEHEAD editor@mediactr.com
Days, weeks, months, years have a way of flying by. Don't forget that Saturday, Feb. 17 puts Mary Ellen Goff just five years away from that elusive 100-year mark. Give her a call, give a listen. You'll be surprised by all the info she's got in storage.

Another gentleman from time past was "Uncle Billy," W. H. Spinks of Wells. Family clippings were shared with us by Rona Long. The news of his century-mark precipitated calls from the media, even in 1948. One of the writers was the late Frank L. Weimar, publisher of the Alto Herald. The Tyler and Dallas newspapers had already been there to "strike" a picture of Uncle Billy. When Mr. Weimar walked up, Uncle Billy said, "You danged newspaper men are fixin' it up so every sheriff in the United States will know where I am at."

That gives us a clue about his sense of humor. Mr. Weimar went on to write:

"Spry and active on his 100th birthday, he doesn't look or act his 100 years. Asked if he was still practicing law, he replied, 'Nope, can't see well enough to fight in court any more, but expect to be in the pulp and lumber business for the next hundred years.'"

Mr. Weimar noted that Uncle Billy was born in Mississippi and moved to Texas about the age of 20. He had lived a year in Navarro County then moved east to the Pineywoods. "His claim to be the oldest voter in Cherokee County has never been challenged," wrote Mr. Weimar.

"My first vote was cast for Richard Coke for Governor - Coke Stevenson was named after him, you know - and I've never missed a vote since," according to Mr. Weimar's quote. He continued, "He has been mostly Democratic all his life but this year is supporting the States Righters. He called them democratic Rebels."

"Dewey," he predicts, "will be the next President. I'd take him in preference to Truman."

"Spinks frequently walks out to his 80-acre farm a mile and a half from Wells. There was a time when he made the trip every day but says now the walk is a little too strenuous.

"He spends most of his time roaming over town, swapping stories with friends and dabbling in an occasional lumber deal. His hearing and vision are excellent and his memory is unimpaired.

"Spinks has been a lawyer more than 70 years. He was admitted to the bar after three practicing attorneys had given him an exam in Rusk. That was the approved procedure in the early days.

"It cost me $5 and a quart of whiskey," Spinks recalls, "but that doesn't mean I bribed 'em. The examination was plenty tough.

"Several years after he received his license, Spinks figured in an incident that has become almost legendary. He was farming at the time, and when one of his hired hands became sullen and abusive; Spinks whacked him over the head with a hoe handle. The aggrieved worker lost no time in filing an assault charge against his employer.

"Spinks had his inning a few days later. The justice of the peace became ill and Spinks was appointed to the post temporarily. His first official act was to call the case against himself, then dismiss it for lack of evidence."

Our gratitude to our good, late friend and publisher Weimar, and Rona for letting us "borrow" her family's treasured clipping. From his narrative, you can see that life then, as now, included a peppering of politics. Do you even remember Dewey and Truman? If you do, you may also recall that infamous headline in a 1948 issue of the Chicago Tribune, which jumped the gun and announced Dewey the winner.

Out of respect for all those who were there to help pay tribute to Uncle Billy, we must mention our longtime and beloved Mamie Lee Carter. She earned a place in all the hearts of those who knew her. She could set type on the linotype. That was an enviable task for a woman, especially. The outcome of the potential Alto Herald Museum is a subject in great need of help. Mayor Debbie White thought she was on a roll to make it happen. Everyone is in her corner on this, but "everyone" is just too busy. That's no excuse. It is a fact. One day we will bitterly regret that we didn't do something to save this piece of living history. Unfortunately, time will end, as will we, leaving unfinished business. Lost causes.

And so, after you enjoy yesterday's tribute to a l00-year birthday, remember Mary Ellen Goff. And because these she never thought about giving up, here's a thought of tribute to her: "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." So there, the moral to the story is just don't give up. And she hasn't.

This is a surprise post script which is no longer a surprise. Brookshire Bros. in Rusk will host cake and punch to celebrate the birthday of Mrs. Goff around 10 a.m. Friday Feb. 16. Now, this means you're invited. Come join the staff at Brookshire Bros. when they cut the cake, blow out the candles and sing "happy birthday" for one of Rusk's special "angels on earth." And remember that Angels are the best company you can keep. See you there. Camera in hand.