Newsletters

Volume 18, no. 1 • April 2000

Julius Lindsay Schaub Exhibit

The work of LaGrange photographer Julius Lindsay Schaub is currently on display at the Troup County Archives. The exhibit features photographs and post cards dating from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Included are images

*Ethel Dallis at age 10 in 1893. She later married Robert Johnson Hill. Their daughter, Mary Jane Crayton, is a charter member of the Historical Society. (click image to enlarge)
of people and landmarks of LaGrange, as well as images of Schaub and his family. Notable visitors, such as Jefferson Davis, during a stop in LaGrange on his way to the dedication of the Senator Benjamin H. Hill monument in Atlanta, and William Jennings Bryan at the railroad depot in 1911, are shown as well.

Born in Davidson County, North Carolina on January 9, 1843, Schaub was educated at the Yadkin Institute before leaving to fight in the Civil War. He served in Company B, 14th Regiment, North Carolina Troops throughout the entire war. Schaub's military career is well documented at the Troup County Archives. Copies of detailed accounts of battles he served in and descriptions of camp life were donated by his descendants. There is also a copy of a history of the 14th North Carolina, which he wrote. After entering the Army as a lad of 18, he fought in the Army of Northern Virginia in such horrible episodes as Seven Pines, Mechanicsville, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Malvern Hill, Fredricksburg, and others before surrendering at Appomattox Courthouse. In four years, he only missed three months of service due to a wound.

After the war, he worked in Greensboro, Macon, Griffin, and Atlanta before settling in LaGrange around 1881. He opened a studio at 110 Church Street. Schaub is known mostly for his portraits; however, he photographed several outdoor scenes as well. Many of these were used for postcards of local attractions, such as Ferrell Gardens. Julius Schaub had seven children, one by his first wife, Gertrude Denie Goolsby, who died from complications from the birth, and six from his second wife, Ida Lela Wooten. Schaub worked at his profession in LaGrange until his death on December 31, 1911.

The Troup County Archives is located at 136 Main Street in LaGrange. Admission is free. The Archives are open Monday and Wednesday through Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday 9 a.m.-8 p.m., and on Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The exhibit will remain on display through October. A special luncheon spotlighting Schaub is planned for June 16th at the Troup County Archives.

Tales of Uncle Remus and Dr. Gil Watson at Spring Membership Brunch

Dr. Gil Watson as Joel Chandler Harris
The Troup County Historical Society's Spring membership brunch featuring Dr. Gil Watson as Joel Chandler Harris, author of the Uncle Remus tales. Dr. Watson, senior minister at Northside United Methodist Church in Atlanta and formerly minister at First Methodist Church here in LaGrange, will be coming "home" for this brunch sponsored by the Troup County Historical Society.

Dr. Watson will come attired as Joel Chandler Harris. He is a member of the Board of the Joel Chandler Harris Association. He has participated in many story telling festivals, including the Azalea Festival here in LaGrange.

WELCOME NEW OFFICERS AND NEW TRUSTEES

In February, members of the Troup County Historical Society elected new officers and four new trustees. Congratulations to:
  • Karen W. Scarborough - President
  • Bit Taylor - Vice President
  • Sally Macomber - Secretary
  • Jim Crane - Treasurer
  • Glenda Major - Past President
  • Charles Hudson - Board Representative

Trustees:

2000-2003
  • Nancy Long
  • Becky Major
  • Chris Joseph
  • Stuart Gulley
1998-2002
  • Ethyl Ault
  • Joe Cafaro
  • Oliver Greene
1997-2001
  • Robert Walters
  • Julia Ann Reeves
  • Ann Petry
  • Peter Lukken
Special thanks to our nominating Committee chaired by Past President Ed Long. Special thanks to to these members of the Board of Trustees who rotated off the Board this Spring: Charles Hudson, Jr. and James McAllister.

We appreciate your service and your efforts!

HISTORY DAY UPDATE

On Friday, March 24, 2000, 170 students from eight schools in Troup, Muscogee, Coweta, and Polk Counties gathered at the campus of LaGrange College to participate in the West Georgia District History Day Competition. This year's theme was "Turning Points in History" and the students did an excellent job! They chose a wide variety of topics, used many primary sources, and put much work and effort into their entries. First, second, and third place winners advance to the state competition being held at Macon College in late April. State winners advance to the national contest in Washington, D. C. in June.

Special thanks to the good folks at LaGrange College, including Dr. Stuart Gulley, faculty members, and history students who helped with judging.

Spotlight on new books:

The Troup County Archives has recently purchased two new books by men who have left their designs and imprints on Troup County. Golf Has Never Failed Me: The lost commentaries of legendary golf architect Donald J. Ross was published in 1996 and recently added to our collections. Ross designed the golf course at Highland Country Club in 1923. The second book is by Noble Foster Hoggson and is entitled Epochs in American Banking published in 1929. Hoggson was part of Hoggson Brothers architectural firm in New York City who designed bank buildings throughout the east coast. Hoggson Brothers designed the LaGrange National Bank building which now houses the Troup County Archives. Both books are available at the Troup County Archives if anyone would like to look at them.
This newsletter is a quarterly publication of the Troup County Historical Society and Archives
136 Main Street, P.O. Box 1051, LaGrange, GA 30241.

Officers: President - Karen Scarborough
Vice-President - Bit Taylor Secretary - Sally Macomber Treasurer - Jim Crane
Past-President - Glenda Major

Board of Trustee Representative - Charles D. Hudson

Staff of the Archives:

Director - Kaye Lanning Minchew
Reference Archivist - Charles Kelly
Processing Archivist - Peter Branum
Reference Assistant - Clark Johnson
Bookkeeper - Diana Thomas
Assistants - Shirley Dykes, Ruby Copeland, Jamie Gossett

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