William Robert McEntire, brother to Fred McEntire

1860 Federal Census, Cleveland, North Carolina

Ransome Mcentire	36
Rosanah Mcentire	33
Romes Mcentire	11
John W Mcentire	11
Josiah Mcentire	10
Unnamed Mcentire	6
Thomas Mcentire	5
Celia J Mcentire	2
Infant unnamed Mcentire	2.52

1880 Federal Census, Duncan's Creek, Cleveland, Northa Carolina

Ransom Mcentire	53
Rosanna Mcentire	51
Cely Mcentire	21
Richard Mcentire	20
Robt. Mcentire	11
Marcus Mcentire	9
Roney Moore	20
Wm. P. Gold	20

Richard Mcentire, 20, in above census is father of Robert William McEntire. Robert William McEntire's Death Certificate, son of Richard and Elzey Powell provides a clue on when his parents began their union since his birth is cited as July 8, 1880. ================================================================================ Name: William Robert Mc-Entire Gender: Male Race: White Age: 77 Birth Date: 8 Jul 1880 Birth Place: Cleveland, North Carolina, United States Death Date: 26 Oct 1957 Death Location: Rutherfordton, Rutherford Spouse's name: Kate Mc-Entire Father's name: Richard Mc-Entire Mother's name: Elzie Powell Residence: Union Mills, Rutherford, North Carolina ==================================== 1900 Census: Polkville, Cleveland, NC Richard Mcentire   38 Laura Mcentire  33 William Mcentire 19 Fred Mcentire  18 Ada Mcentire 15 Richard Mcentire 14 Essie Mcentire  11 George Mcentire 6 Vettus Mcentire 3 Marshal Mcentire 1 1910 Census William R. Mccyolyn Age in 1910  28 Birth Year 1882 Polkville, Cleveland, North CarolinaMarried Spouse Kate E Mccyolyn William R Mccyolyn 28 Kate E Mccyolyn 22 Grady Mccyolyn 5 Clarence Mccyolyn 4 Ross Mccyolyn 1 1920 Census: William A Mc Entire Age 43 abt 1877 High Shoals, Rutherford, North Carolina Obituary lists "survived by wife::  Kate Hunnicutt McEntire of Union Mills http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=65782461 Race: White Gender: Male Relation to Head of House: Head Marital Status: Married Spouse's Name: Katie Mc Entire Father's Birthplace: North Carolina Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina Home Owned: Rent Able to Read: Yes Able to Write: No Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age William A Mc Entire 43 Katie Mc Entire 31 Grady Mc Entire 14 Clarence Mcentire 11 Rosa Mcentire 9 Worth Mcentire 7 Ralph Mcentire 5 Pauline Mcentire 3 Bee Mcentire 0 [7/12] Name: Lois Louise McEntire Gender: Female Race: White Event Type: delayedbirth Birth Date: 15 Jan 1935 Birth County: Rutherford Parent1 Name: William Robt McEntire Parent2 Name: Kate Honeycutt Roll Number: NCVR_B_C086_68001 Volume: 13 Page: 59 Clarence McEntire, 1906, d. Oct 7, 1982, Rutherfordton, NC Married to Selma Daughter (1940 census)  Louise NAME:  Selma Mcentire SPOUSE:  Clarence Mcentire BIRTH:  abt 1909 - North Carolina RESIDENCE:  1930 - Sandy Run, Cleveland,North Carolina NAME:  Clarence McIntyre BIRTH:  10 Oct 1906 DEATH:  Oct 1982 - Union Mills, Rutherford, North Carolina, United States of America CIVIL:  North Carolina OTHER:  Union Mills, Rutherford, North Carolina, United States of America Age 33, born abt 1907 Birthplace North Carolina Gender Male Race White Home in 1940 Improned Dirt Road Sandy Run, Cleveland, North Carolina Household Members Age Head Clarence McIntyre  33 Wife Selma McIntyre 28 Daughter Louise McIntyre 7 ==================================================================== Ralph McEntire Obituary: Ralph McEntire, Sr. Date: October 29th, 1914 - June 20th, 2009 Obituary: Ralph McEntire Sr. , age 94 of Willow Run Drive, Forest City, NC died Saturday June 20, 2009 at Willow Ridge Nursing Center. He was born October 29, 1914 in Polk County, NC and was a son of the late William Robert and Nancy Catherine Daggahart McEntire; retired from Spindale Mills Corp. with 35 years service and was a member of Bethany Baptist Church. He was also the widower of the late Dora McEntire. Survivors include his sons, Marvin McEntire of Cary, NC, Ralph McEntire, Jr. of Bangkok, Thailand, John Wayne McEntire of Ellenboro, and Dennis Jerry McEntire of Forest City, two daughters, Wilma M. Pearson of Virginia Beach, VA, and Brenda Jane Jones of Shelby, a brother, Gene McEntire of Charlotte, and a sister, Rosie Justice of Shelby. There are 15 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and a number of great-great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at Eleven o’clock Tuesday June 23, 2009 at Bethany Baptist Church with Reverend Marvin Green officiating. Source:  http://www.padgettking.com/visitations/View.php?id=239MCENTIRE, DORA IRENE 83, Forest City, NC, w/o Ralph McEntire, 4–7–03 A8 1940 Census: Ralph 25 Irene 20 Kenneth M  2 Ralph and Dora McEntire: Bethany Baptist Churchhttp://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=85286400 Grady Carl McEntire married Elmer Mae Justice Union Baptist Church Cemetery http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=95572355 *Note - Grady and Rosa marry Justice siblings:  Elmer Justice and Loye Justice Children of Clingman H. Justice and Mary Blanton Justice http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=19253272 SHELBY - Mr. Horace Worth McIntyre, 97, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, at Cleveland Regional Medical Center.  "He was born on June 14, 1912, to the late Robert S. and Katherine Daggerhart McIntyre.  Worth was a farmer and self-employed carpenter in building of reproductions of antique furniture. He later worked for Daniel's Construction Co. He was a member of Shelby Free Will Baptist Church. Worth enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Docia Idella Tesseneer McIntyre; grandson, Bruce Yelton; three brothers, Grady McIntyre, Clarence McIntyre and Ralph McIntyre; and two sisters, Pauline Hamrick and Beatrice Dobbins.  He is survived by three sons, Jimmy McEntire and wife, Carolyn, of Cherryville, David McIntyre and wife, Margaret, of Lattimore, and Ted McIntyre and wife, Terry, of Richmond Hill, Ga.; daugh-ters, Farlyn Yelton of Shelby, Patsy Goode and husband, Joseph W,. of Mooresboro, and Betty Earl and husband, Dwight, of Fort Mill, S.C.; brother, Gene McIntyre and wife, Beulah, of Huntersville; brother-in-law, Paul Dobbins of Spindale; and sister, Rosie Justice, of Kings Mountain; grandchildren, Crystal McEntire and husband, Richard Edwards, Steve McIntyre and wife, Barbara, Bryon McIntyre and wife, Diane, Sherry Nevins and husband, Brad, Greg McIntyre and wife, Stefanie, Kristen McIntyre, Amanda Austin and husband, Adam, Jessica McIntyre, Shirley McIntyre, Joni Terry and husband, J. M., William Earl Jr. and Keith Earl and wife, Amanda; great-grandchildren, Lane Edwards, Ashley McIntyre, Sarah, Becca and Paige McIntyre, Jonathan Herndon, Natalie and Brett Nevins, Jordan, Tucker and Savannah McIntyre, Erica and John Yelton, Brandon Terry and wife, Whitney, and Brentt Terry, Julian Earl and Taylor Gregory; great-great-grandchild, Ethan Luke Terry; and many loving nieces and nephews. " Source: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shelbystar/obituary.aspx?n=horace-worth-mcintyre&pid=135257127&fhid=7697#fbLoggedOut Jimmy Worth McEntire, age 67 of 1640 Cherryville Road, died Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at home after an extended illness.  He was born July 24, 1942, in Lattimore,  the son of the late Horace Worth and Docia Delia Tesseneer McEntire, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Furr McEntire.  Jimmy was retired from Rick’s Body Shop, Gastonia, as Auto Body Technician. He was a member of Pilgrim Faith Baptist Church, Shelby, and retired from the North Carolina Army National Guard after 24 years of service. Survivors:  Wife: Carolyn McNeely McEntire, of the home Daughter: Crystal Elaine McEntire and Richard Edwards of Cherryville, Step Son: Eddie and Cathy Davis, of Hickory Grandchildren: Laine Edwards, Misty London, Christy Lovelace Great Grandchildren: Chantz and Rhyliegh Brothers:  David McEntire of Lattimore: Ted McEntire of Savannah, Ga. Sisters:  Betty Earl, of Ft. Mill, S. C, Farlyn Yelton of Shelby, Patsy Goode of Boiling Springs Source: http://www.carpentersfuneralhome.net/jimmymcentire.html "Rosie Lee"  McEntire Justice obituary:  http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shelbystar/obituary.aspx?n=rosie-lee-justice-mcentire&pid=147481510&fhid=5567 "A native of Cleveland County, she was the daughter of the late William Robert and Nancy Daggerhart McEntire. She was formerly employed with both Dover and Ora Mills in Shelby. She was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, where she was also a member of the Friendship Class. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Justice was preceeded in death by her husband, the late Loye (Law) Justice; a son, Melvin (Bud) Justice; brothers Ralph McEntire, Worth McEntire and Grady McEntire and sisters Beatrice Dobbins and Pauline Hamrick. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Ray Lee and Mozelle Justice of Kings Mountain and Max and Jan Justice of Shelby; two daughters, Rachel Reynolds of Lincolnton and Annette Dyer of Shelby; a brother, Gene McEntire of Mount Holly; 14 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.Beatrice McEntire Dobbins  married to Paul Dobbins Birth:  Apr. 12, 1919 North Carolina, USA Death:  Sep. 9, 2007 Rutherfordton Rutherford County North Carolina, USA "Beatrice was the daughter of Robert and Cathrine D. McEntire.She was married to Paul Dobbins and they had 6 children Larry, James, Jack, Shirley Joyce and Kathy, also 11 Grand children and 14 Great Grand Children, Her brothers were Ralph, Worth, Gene and a sister Rosie McEntire Justice." Source: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=21509499R Rachel Reynolds Justice obituary KINGS MOUNTAIN-Rachel Justice Reynolds, 83, a resident of 111 Rye Court, Kings Mountain, died Nov. 4, 2012, at White Oak Manor, Kings Mountain. She was born in Cleveland County to the late Loye F. Justice and Rosie Lee McEntire Justice.  She was also preceded in death by her husband, Jacob Phillip "JP" Reynolds; brothers, Ray Lee Justice and Melvin "Bud" Justice.  Source:  http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shelbystar/obituary.aspx?pid=160903856#fbLoggedOut ================================ Henry Clayton Hamrick married Pauline McEntire.  6 Mar 1937 in South Carolina, USA Henry Clayton Hamrick Born: 25 Jun 1917 in North Carolina, USA Died: 14 Dec 1974 in Union Bridge, Carole, Maryland, USA ============================================ Edward Eugene McIntire marries  Ford. 1930 United States Federal Census Census & Voter Lists View Image Name:  Eugene Mcintire Birth:  abt 1928  - North Carolina Residence:  1930 - Township 6, Cleveland, North Carolina U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 Military View Image Name:  Eugene McEntire Birth:  13 Jul 1927 - Shelby, North Carolina Residence:  1946 - Spindale, Rutherford, North Carolina 1920 Census:

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=95572355

Ransom Mcentire	53
Rosanna Mcentire	51
Cely Mcentire	21
Richard Mcentire	20
Robt. Mcentire	11
Marcus Mcentire	9
Roney Moore	20
Wm. P. Gold	20

Maternal line: Henry Bohannon

Research subject:  Henry Bohannon

The following is from: Owen-Wilson Family History, by Percival David Park


Family tradition says Henry Bohannon served in the American Revolution from the state of Virginia. A record in Virginia State Library's 'List of Revolutionary Soldiers of Virginia' showed Henry Bohannon served as a private in the 1st Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line, Light Dragoon, commanded by Captain Robert Boling for a three year enlistment, 6 July 1778 to Jun 1781. The regiment was raised from the area south of James River for the relief of General Nathaniel Greene in the South during the Revolutionary War.
In Virginia Soldiers of 1776 by Louis A. Burgess, it was found that apparently this same Henry Bohannon received bounty warrant number 1394 for 100 acres on 6 July 1781 and bounty warrant number 1390 for 200 acres on 23 June 1783 from the State of Virginia. It was for his Revolutionary War service in the Continental Line. As late as 1856, the records show the bounty warrants were not redeemed. It is believed this Henry Bohannon went to the state of South Carolina, and later to Sevier County, Tennessee, rather than into the Kentucky and Ohio military district under the auspices of the state of Virginia.
In 1790 Federal Census of Ninety-six District, Abbevile County, South Carolina, there was 1 white male over 16 years; 4 white females in the household ... Henry Bohannon and his wife, Amillia Shotwell, three daughters born from circa 1786 to 1790.
From 1800 Federal Census of Abbeville District, South Carolina, there were 2 white males and 2 white females under 10 years of age; 2 white females age 10-16; 2 white females age 16-26; 1 white male and 1 white female age 26-45 in the household ... Henry Bohannon and his wife, Amillia Shotwell, eight children born from circa 1786 to 1800. [NOTE: This household was listed under the name - HENRY BUCKHANAN]
Circa 1801, Henry Bohannon and his family migrated to Sevier County, Tennessee from Abbeville District, South Carolina. There was one early land entry for Henry Bohannon in Sevier County.
This land grant, dated 15 June 1810, is as follows:
'...a certain tract or parcel of land containing one hundred and fifty and three roods lying in the County of Sevier in the District South of French Broad and Holston, there being due and chargeable on said land the sum of one hundred and fifty Dollars seventy five Cents with the Interest thereon.' This land joined the line of Hugh Duggan, James Oldham and vacant lands. It was located in the watershed of the East Fork of Little Pigeon River.
At an early date the family evidently lived in White Oak Flats community (now Gatlinburg, Tennessee). In November 1817 the Forks of Little Pigeon Baptist Church met with a group of people from White Oak Flats community...they agreed to hold a meeting for reception of new members at 'Henry Bohannon's place in White Oak Flats.'
In December 1817 when the White Oak Flats Baptist Church was formed as an arm of 'Fork of Little Pigeon Baptist Church' in Sevierville, Tennessee, Henry Bohannon's wife, Amillia, was listed as a charter member.
There was another land entry for Henry Bohannon dated 25th day of January 1826. This land grant indicated that this family moved from White Oak Flats community to the area of Middle Creek and Pigeon Forge. It was as follows: '...a certain tract of land containing fifty acres, lying in the county aforesaid, on the waters of Mill Creek...' and joined the vacant lands and William White's line.
It is believed that Henry Bohannon lived and died at his home on 'waters of Mill Creek'.

Source: 'Ownby-Watson Family History', Percival David Park, May 1985, p 67. 'Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3', Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 137-138. Timothy Welch Stinnett GEDCOM, August 1995.
=====


Bohanan, Henry:

Born 1753 Halifax County Virginia It has been considered that Henry Bohannon (1760-1842) of Sevier County, Tennessee, was Henry Bohannon III. He married (1) Amelia (Amillia) Shotwell in Virginia and moved to Sevier County, Tennessee, during the period 1795-1805, where he settled in the area of Middle Creek and Pigeon Forge, a few miles from Sevierville. He married (2) Rachel ------- and died there about 1842. In November 1817 the Forks of Little Pigeon Church met with some people from White Oak Flats and agreed to hold a meeting for receiving new members at "Henry Bohanon's place" in White Oak Flats which was the area from what is now Gatlinburg to the Cocke County Lline. In December 1817, when the White Oak Flats Baptist Church was formed as an arm of Little Pigeon Church in Sevierville, Amelia Bohannon, wife of Henry, was listed as a charter member. Family records spell the name Bohanon.
Although proof has not been found, generational chronology and the use of the name, Susannah, for his first daughter, suggests that Henry Bohannon who married Amelia Shotwell was the son of Henry Bohannon and Susanna Fretwell. The fact that Alexander Bohannon also moved to Sevier County supports that probability.
Buried Plemons Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee
  
Source: http://genealogytrails.com/tenn/sevier/milRev.html 
=============================

Henry Bohannan (FIND A GRAVE): http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=11325044

When All Was Woven

There comes a moment

after crossing

neglected borders of 

lost rice plantations 

where the rider

views the tall pines,

and places her hand

upon the rolled window

as if to touch

red dirt sides

now cradling blacktop.

The last twenty miles

take as long

as the first three days.

The road intensity 

reaches a peak.

Soon the rider will

leave her shoes

forgotten for the remainder

and run rapidly across gravel

as if never no minder.

The plump grandmother

will come and crush

her to some blue floured apron.

The tall grandfather will

bend and pull peppermint

from a faded, Osh Kosh pocket.

The old uncle will sit close

whittling on the end of

a green cane pole.

His glance will say,

"bout time."

Soon meals will start

with women

spreading dishes round

an old plank table that

daily fed a dozen.

Then chores will start

and the rider will run

clothes through

a porcelain

front porch wringer.

At day's end

music will play 

mouth harps will clang, guitars,

and dulcimers will clamor a lap.

The gliders will sway. 

The fireflies will come.

The cousins will come.

July will come. 

At night's sleep

the fans will twirl.

Windows will be up.

Nature will boast and rant

and reckon a ruckus up.

The heat will cover the rider

in beads while she reads

some classic render

alump a feathertop

and quilted spread

where a mother always

leans to say,

"Sleep now sister,

the sun'll up again." 

2012 ©Teresa Price · all rights reserved 

1829 letter:  Branch Gold in Rutherford County.

http://books.google.com/books?id=IjwPAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA361&dq=Gold+Rutherford+County+NC&hl=en&sa=X&ei=V3PgT421Nem_6AGVrdl-&ved=0CHEQ6AEwCTgK#v=onepage&q=Gold%20Rutherford%20County%20NC&f=false

I am fortunate that in the summer I teach online and therefore, in between working with students, I have "computer" time to explore my love of history and genealogy.

I'd like to share some "tidbit" finds:

In 2003,I read that a trunk containing historic papers was found in Asheville.  This trunk opened up a "mine" of history.
http://www2.unca.edu/news/releases/2003/papers.html

The trunk interested me because I had recently traveled to Duke University and also to Chapel Hill to study documents on the McEntire (McIntire, McIntyre) genealogy.  While there, I read letters from Archibald McIntyre, the son of famed Archiblad McIntyre (comptroller in NY) while he was in Rutherfordton, NC.  I also read about McIntyre mining in the Adirondacks.

http://www.adirondack-park.net/history/mcintyre.mine.html

But back to the "found" papers...

These papers eventually formed the collection known as "Speculation Lands," now housed at UNC-A.
http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/mss/speculation_lands/default.htm

Reading the speculation collection was to discover "history" in volumes.  One of my favorite finds was when an agent from Hendersonville,  Mr. Justice, was advised to "act like a farmer," in order to gain the trust of Rutherford County farmers so that he could make offers to by their lands.   This line became the inspiration for the poem, Land Speculators: Book 37, Number 400,* (included below)

Reading these papers also led me to some of the most interesting mid 1800 -early 1900 reports by state geologist, Ebenezer Emmons and to the 1847 "Report on the Gold Mines of Philadelphia and North Carolina."

I was and continue to be fascinated by the descriptive writing on these mines near names familiar:  Whiteside, Edgerton branch, Gilbert Town...

http://books.google.com/books?id=xyY7AAAAcAAJ&pg=PA1&dq=south+of+rutherfordton+gold&hl=en&sa=X&ei=JnrgT4OuAe-K6gGlvbB_&ved=0CHQQ6AEwCTgK#v=onepage&q=south%20of%20rutherfordton%20gold&f=false

I also found beauty in learning about the  "arborescent gold," at the Shemwell Mine, as well as the significant gem size discovered at Twitty* mine.  No wonder the wanderlust for gold!

*Twitty mine: http://books.google.com/books?id=tTvPAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA79&dq=gold+rutherford+county+nc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=aYXgT_KTCI2K6gHsu5yAAQ&ved=0CGwQ6AEwCDgU#v=onepage&q=gold%20rutherford%20county%20nc&f=false

And finally, in closing on this glance of tibits, I discovered Chapel Hill's: Documenting the American South.

http://docsouth.unc.edu/support/about/

One could spend a summer "online" in this treasure alone.

I am teaching once more in summer and eager to see where this season's mining leads.

"Happy Trails."

Other links to explore gold in Rutherford County:

1919:
http://books.google.com/books?id=pTBNAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA18&dq=gold+rutherford+county+nc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AYTgT63GMoSM6QGFwfR_&ved=0CEgQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=gold%20rutherford%20county%20nc&f=false

1919:
http://books.google.com/books?id=fP8mAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA20&dq=gold+rutherford+county+nc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AYTgT63GMoSM6QGFwfR_&ved=0CFYQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=gold%20rutherford%20county%20nc&f=false

1878
http://books.google.com/books?id=-SlMAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA72&dq=gold+rutherford+county+nc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=1ITgT5GzD7DR6gGGj4iWAQ&ved=0CEoQ6AEwAzgK#v=onepage&q=gold%20rutherford%20county%20nc&f=false

1884:
http://books.google.com/books?id=t0wDAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA10&dq=gold+rutherford+county+nc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=1ITgT5GzD7DR6gGGj4iWAQ&ved=0CGoQ6AEwCDgK#v=onepage&q=gold%20rutherford%20county%20nc&f=false

  Land Speculators: Book 37, Number 400

They came among us
when we were newborn.
“Act like a farmer to gain their trust,”
said lawyers from New York.

Vain janglers
babbling reason and chiming dollars
toward a farmer’s tethered pockets.
Were we eager to dream
a sturdy wagon, new shoes,
spring corn?

And later, as northern zines
sprouted promises to own
ripe and unspoiled lands,
deeds like old Doc Brown’s
were sought and sold
together with all rights,
privileges and appurtenances thereunto.

A day’s work done,
dealmakers clung
‘til the hand-shaker’s shadow
stretched like a caul
across some sawyer’s
virgin planks.

Our grandfathers signed,
and trace ink dried like dribbled milk
as we dreamt our youth
under the scrambling front porch vines
of a golden scuppernong.

Our history sleeps there still,
wrapped in speculation and transaction,
shaded by the twinning branch of a Carolina pine,
and rocked by the wafting trill
of some hopeful mother’s
mountain song.

Teresa Price, published first place in Anuran, ©2004, all rights reserved

In fear, move...

        ©2010, Teresa Price · all rights reserved  

For the past week, I've thought about my fears, or lack of them.  I've known for a long time that I do not experience fear often, if at all. Most of my life, I've known and others have accused, that I often seem to "jump in" or "go ahead," when most will not.  This open call has afforded me a personal study.  After a week, it comes to this, I think my father's witness is at the core of my understanding of fear or this replicated absence.

     My father was not a fearful man.  He was a man of do.  Whatever, whenever, however, he accomplished.  I never saw him hesitate, drift, pause, or delay.  His only moments of stall were directed by and about my mother and were linked to their twined hearts.  His only moments of weakness were mirrored in a bottle.  In the bottle, I saw his fear.  But that is another story, another reflection.

     My father grew and left poverty early.  Later, I saw pride in the faces of the lives he  somehow saved and supported.  In crisis, I saw relief when he would arrive.  I wonder now at the weight of life and others he carried until his final breath.   I wonder at the weight.  I wonder at the moment I realized he carried the world, his world, until the end.  

The last week of his life, when my father had not left his reclining chair for weeks except to walk down the hall, he observed me struggling with something in the yard.  I was trying to remove a large fallen post by rolling it out of the way with the help of my children.  I was living next door because I had moved there to help care for him during his last year of life.

    As the children and I were struggling with the log,  I heard my mother scream his name.  I heard her sob.  I looked toward his house, and I saw him dragging down the back porch steps, carrying his oxygen in tow.  I saw him drag across a yard grown too high.  I saw him pause and step, pause and step, pause and step.  I saw my mother fall upon the ground, crying. I saw my father climb his tractor grasping, heaving, to the seat.  Somehow, I do not know even now, somehow he climbed to the seat.

     The next thing I know, he was atop the tractor and at my side.  "Get the chain" he directed in a harsh whisper, and wrap it 'round the log."  I looked at him hard.  His breath had been long since gone.  It was the first sentence he'd uttered in some time.  My father looked back at me through rheumy eyes.  "Get the damn chain, Teri."

     I wrapped the chain around the log as I seen him do in the past.  My father glanced back and waved a slight hand motioning me to climb up near him.  He was spent.  He motioned to the gear.  I knew to share the seat and move the machine to low.  Together we pulled the log to the edge of the field.  Together we drove the tractor back to its keeping spot.

 Together we climbed down, and somehow together we mangled our way back to the house.  Together we later soothed his wife, my mother.  It was my father's last act of physical movement.  I've thought since that he wanted his last breath to be outside that day, for in a life, the last hour was only a few breaths beyond that final experience.  I hope he somehow clung knowing that.

     I wrote once that when he died, I lost my anchor, that "sandbags slid back to the sea."  But today I know that my father is with me always, and that the lessons he gave me in life have anchored me to time and place, time and time again. The lesson my father gave me that day, one of several final lessons, has been invaluable.  In doubt, move.  In loss, move.  In a lack of hope, move.  In fear, move.  

     There have been moments since where I would have lost myself completely had I not climbed beside him on the tractor during his last hours.  I've followed his lead most of my life, and it has been a good and steady lead.  I have him with me in crisis, and I keep his spirit with me always.  I have his example as a guide.  It comes back to this.   I cannot write about fear.  I was not afraid then, and I am not afraid now.

Published in Vol. XIII Survivor's Review: http://www.survivorsreview.org/features.php?vol=13&art=193

One Silver Vandoren Optimum Ligature

 ...for Jerica

The "found silver" in this poem is included as a symbolic memory, and not as an actual truth.  I've included it in this poem because of the imagery evoked in one of my favorite memories of my niece, Jerica.  When she was in 7th grade, I stood at the window of her classroom door because she had asked me to "come watch" her play in band.  She didn't know how long I watched that day, and I've never forgotten the experience,  just as I've never forgotten her.  So, this poem, is about my silver memory to Jerica, with love...  











One Silver Vandoren Optimum Ligature

After the accident

we found among the metal

crushed in gravel,

one glinting silver

Vandoren Optimum Ligature.

Jerica was summer,

always,

and at twelve

she asked

to play the clarinet.

Her long tender fingers

wrapped rosewood

near blonde hair

pulled back and

draping down.

Her blue eyes

brighter as she 

began touching across

lower joints and keys

 to hit high notes

celebrating altissimo register.

When it was certain

Jerica would no

longer hold first chair

among woodwinds, 

Her mother gashed a

hammered hand

across the patrol's

heavy duty badge,

beating and bleating  

the shrillest vibrating

timbrously piercing scream,

"No,

Get back in the car

Do not come here!" 

I cry some

nights considering the

clouds of dust

polarizing  and 

illuminating

the reflection nebula.

I strain to hear the

lost refrain of sound

that strews particles

of iron and nickel

across my splattered sky

in hopeful sighting of

the perennial Trifid. 

My heart recalls

and coils around

glint of broken dreams,

scattered light,

and the integrity of

galactic fusion.

And sometimes

when the earth is still, 

adjusted and configured, 

the reeds by the road

employ softer compensation.

I don't want to release

one note in season

as I leave go the window slowly,

passing by. 

Teresa Price  

© 1/2010  all rights reserved

Little Red House

This little red house,
vacant, quiet,
alone in a sallow field
with walls grown
brittle and broken
in slumber.

This aged, failed roof,
seeping nature's rot
across torn linoleum
where bouncing children
often trampled staid
beams of oak.

A home remembered
for its lean holding
where a mother sews,
and a father toils,
before lighting
evening's lamp.

Weeds cover
the path
where a grandmother
picked along vines of
the golden scupper,
with remnants of
her pail now rusted
upon a post.

The aged apple tree,
scattering and dwarfed,
dropping spotted fruit
atop a decaying door,
feeding blue ridge deer
whose ample printing
a cloven medley,
among rise and
fog of a morning.




Teresa Price © 2011