“The Yankees Are Coming And I Can Not Leave Marianna”

Memoirs of Sarah Ann Austin Cooper, who will be among the re-enactors on Marianna Day

By Sheilia Young
“You can meet me on Saturday, September 26 in downtown Marianna during the Parade.”
“My name is Sarah Ann Austin Cooper. I was born on August 28, 1827 in Barbour County, Alabama. My parents are John Austin and Sarah Youngblood Austin of Johnson, South Carolina. I married Captain Reuben Cooper on December 24, 1844.
Tragically, my husband and sixteen others were killed in a train wreck in Cleveland, Tennessee. He and the boys of the Alabama 33rd Infantry had fought at Perryville, Kentucky, and were in a hurry to get back to Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Some wood fell off of the tender car and derailed the train. They were all buried alongside the tracks.
After hearing this news, our son Matthew Cooper took a horse and rode away to enlist in Captain Morrison’s Company, Lewis’ Battalion, of the Alabama Calvary. I haven’t seen him since.
I have come to Marianna to visit my nephews, John and William Joseph Austin. I have learned William enlisted last April in Captain Poe’s Company of the 1st Florida Reserve Regiment. John is in the Home Guard Unit here in Jackson County, under Captain Norwood. They call themselves “The Cradle to Grave Unit” because of the ages of their members.
Just now the church bells started ringing an alarm! A courier told us the Union Army is coming! They are supposedly at the Old Fort Road, only fifteen miles away to the northwest. John and William have gone to the courthouse to help defend the town. I do not have a means to leave, so I will stay and do what I can. I hope and pray all will be well.”
This sentiment could have been expressed by the Great-Great-Great Grandmother of my husband, Lionel Young. All the facts are true. History has shown us: John Austin fought and was captured by Union forces during the Battle of Marianna. He died in prison at Ship Island off the Mississippi coast, January 1865. William Austin fought in the Battle of Marianna and the Battle of Natural Bridge. He was discharged in Madison, Florida, May of 1865. Sarah’s son, Matthew, became a prisoner of war, was paroled on May 14, 1865 and walked home to Marianna from Gainesville, Alabama.
Come to the Marianna Day Fall Festival and learn more of our local history.

Senator Nelson Rides In Marianna’s New Fire Truck

Senator conducts “ mini town hall meeting” during presentation to City of Marianna officials.

By Sid Riley
Senator Bill Nelson stimulated most of those in attendance at the special presentation he made inside the fire station bay while he was in Marianna last Thursday. He stimulated the City of Marianna officials by presenting the city with a stimulus fund check for $100,000 which when combined with a $216,000 low interest loan enabled the City to purchase a shiny, new fire truck and two shiny, speedy new EMT vehicles.
Along with the presentation of the check, Senator Nelson took time to mentally stimulate the crowd by conducting a mini-town hall meeting with those in attendance. Nelson answered questions from the crowd for approximately forty-five minutes, while standing in the uncomfortably warm fire truck bay. He discussed the proposed medical plan, stating that the existing plan will have to undergo significant modifications before it could pass the Senate. He also gave a detailed description as to why he opposes drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, over a broad area of this water. He feels that since this area is a primary training area for our air force flyers to practice with live munitions, that the benefit to our military overrides the benefit from drilling.
He also discussed “Cap and Trade” along with his doctrines on global warming. He feels man has been a primary contributor to the CO2 emissions, and those emissions are a major cause of the warming. Other scientific theories would dispute those causes, believing that solar influences are creating the warming.
As Nelson spoke, a sign bearing band of concerned citizens from the tea party initiative stood outside and in the doorway of the bay. They held their signs proudly, but were quiet and respectful of the Senator and his need to speak to the crowd.
It was a meaningful, mutually respectful question and answer session. Most of those in attendance left the encounter feeling they had been listened to and had also learned from their time with the Senator.
At the end of the session, Senator Nelson climbed into a Marianna Fire Truck, and was whisked away to Station #2, where his car was waiting to take him to Panama City. He had already spoken at similar meetings in several panhandle communities on his way to Marianna.

Marianna Day Fall Festival Is Approaching

Weekend of September 25-26 will be great weekend in Marianna
By Sid Riley
You will want to mark these dates on your family calendar to be sure you are in Marianna on September 25-26 for the first annual “Marianna Day Fall Festival”. This event will begin on Friday, September 25 at Citizens Lodge Park. You will hear a cannon firing every thirty minutes or so if you are anywhere near Marianna. Friday morning school children from all over the county will be experiencing the “living history” exhibit on the Citizens Lodge Park grounds.
This exhibit will be an exact replica of how a Civil War era camp was set up, how the civil war soldiers lived, along with demonstrations on how people who lived in the 1860’s cooked, made metal blacksmith items, how they washed their clothes, received medical services including amputations, and what camp life was like for the soldiers. Students will move from demonstration to demonstration on a timed program, with the firing of the cannon signaling the time to move to the next subject.
These demonstrations will be open to the general public during the afternoon on Friday. At 4:00 the troops will put on a drill demonstration, with a cannonade. At 6:00 musical entertainment from local entertainers will begin. Of course all afternoon and evening the vendors and sutlers will be selling their wares. Admission is free on Friday.
On Saturday morning things will be hopping in downtown Marianna. At 9:00 a memorial ceremony will be held at the Confederate Memorial which is located in Confederate Park in the middle of downtown Marianna. This memorial which will be conducted by the United Daughters of the Confederacy will pay tribute to the ten heroes who gave their lives defending their homes and homeland in Marianna on September 27, 1864.
Immediately after the memorial ceremony a giant downtown parade begins, traversing Lafayette Street from west to east, through downtown Marianna. The parade will be filled with rolling exhibits with plenty of bands, cheer leaders, beauty queens, and many interesting sights. The talented local squad of “Buffalo Soldiers” will demonstrate their skills to the onlookers.
As the parade ends the battle will begin. A troop of invading Yankee soldiers will round the bend at Ely’s Corner in front of the Russ House. They will be met by a determined, outnumbered Home Guard force. After an initial volley of gunfire, they will fall back as they reload. A barrier at the Episcopal Church will enable them to make a brief stand against the oncoming Yankees. After being overcome at the Church, some of the defenders will attempt to escape across the Chipola River. At the Court House the small local detachment of regular Confederate soldiers will delay the oncoming troops while surviving defenders escape across the River. As the last defenders cross the wooden bridge they pull up the planking to prevent the Yanks from using the bridge in pursuit.
The battle ends….and Marianna is left in the hands of the Yankees.
Over 100 uniformed re-enactors will take part in the reliving of the ‘Battle of Marianna” on the actual site where it occurred, 145 years ago.
At noon, activities shift back to the Citizens Lodge Park. A small $3 admission charge will let you into the park to enjoy a full nine hours of Blue Grass Music provided by six talented, well known bluegrass groups. At the same time, the re-enactors will be conducting the “living history” demonstrations. Cannon fire demonstrations with pyrotechnics will keep everyone awake and alert.
In the lodge, the Artist Guild of Northwest Florida will host a display of arts and crafts created by local artists. Outside, the vendors will be busy selling mementos, and delicious food while banjo’s and guitars make you want to dance a jig.
It will be a foot stompin’, eye poppin’, ear ringin’ belly fillin’ day of fun and learning experiences. Come relive the history of Marianna and enjoy a festive day with your friends and family. Don’t miss “Marianna Day Fall Festival” on September 25-26. On Sunday, Sept 27, the re-enactors will hold a camp site church service and then break camp.
This event is being hosted and/or organized by the Jackson County Tourist Development Council, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department, the Marianna City Commission, Main Street Marianna, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Theophilus West, M.D. Camp 1346, Sons of Confederate Veterans, William Henry Milton Chapter 1039, Loreta Velazquez Chapter 14, The Artist Guild of Northwest Florida, Inc., and the Jackson County Times. For more information go to http://www.scvcamp1346.org/heritage/marianna_day.htm

Swine Flu….Stay Away From Jackson County!!

What plans exist to help Jackson County deal with potentially deadly virus?
By Sid Riley
On one hand the national health officials are assuring citizens that H1N1 is no more serious than any other form of flu which attacks us each winter. On the other hand we hear of a rush to stockpile millions of doses of the new vaccine for the virus, and plans for massive inoculations of our children and others deemed to be at risk….including all medical personnel. It sounds a lot like they are expecting something more than a “normal” flu season.
What makes this “bug” worse than last season’s “bug”? Well, it seems what makes this one so bad is that it is brand new. This virus has mutated from other strains of the flu virus which previously only impacted animals. Thus, we have no inherited or acquired immunities to it. We are “sitting ducks” for the oncoming attack, and can expect a very high incidence of becoming sick after coming into contact with the virus.
One bright note…if you were born before 1957, you may have some residual immunity to this new demon, since a strain of flu which swept the nation in that year was very similar in design to this new variety. However, the threat is very real.
Also, if we combine the impact of this new flu virus sweeping across the planet with the normal attack generated from our usual varieties of bothersome flu viruses, we have a potentially critical situation, and a hellish winter ahead.
In conversation with the Director of the Jackson County Health Department, William Long, we approached many of the questions we felt were on the minds of local citizens. These are presented below:
Question – Mr. Long, are there any confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus in Jackson County at this time?
Answer – Yes. We do have a few. I do not know the exact number, but it is less than a dozen. There are reports of many more cases in Alabama, including Houston County. Thus as our citizens go to Dothan and other places in Alabama, our exposure increases.
Question – Do you have any projections as to how many people in Jackson County will catch this virus this winter?
Answer – No. It is impossible to give any exact projection. World wide they are projecting that a third of the population may catch this virus. If that projection held true for Jackson County, we would experience around 15,000 cases. However, I feel that due to the fact that our population is aware of the threat, and many are practicing good preventive measures such as frequent hand washing, use of sanitizers, etc. our exposure will be significantly lessened.
Question – Is there any vaccine available in Jackson County at this time?
Answer – No. The test trials of the vaccine are just concluding at the national CDC, and we expect to begin getting supplies in October. We do not know the number of doses, and what final guidelines will be issued.
Question – Who will be given the vaccine?
Answer – The final guidelines have not been issued, but we know that pregnant women are high on the priority list, and that the prime target group are the ages of 5 to 25 instead of the normal target group which is the elderly. Also, health workers will be high on the priority list, to insure that they are available to help the general population.
Question – What is the status of the regular flu vaccine for this year?
Answer – We are beginning inoculations on September 19, about one month early. The cost is $35 for flu and $45 for pneumonia inoculations.
Question – What should a family do if a family member catches H1N1?
Answer – They should take steps to isolate the patient as much as possible, and to limit the number of people who come into contact with the infected person. Also, normal sanitization measures such as use of disposable plates and utensils, wearing of masks and latex gloves, and frequent washing of hands will lessen chances of catching the virus.
Question – When the vaccine arrives how will it be distributed?
Answer – We are not totally sure of the distribution plan. It will of course be handled on a voluntary, non-mandatory basis. We may use a “pod’ approach, with Marianna High School as a central pod. We may concentrate on a major inoculation approach within the school system.
Question - Do you see any sign of an upturn in this virus in our area at this time.
Answer – No. But there was a confirmed death in Walton County, and Alabama is reporting increases.
Question – Now to change the subject. What is the status of construction of the new Health Center at the Marianna Airport Industrial Park?
Answer – Well, due to some legal issues we had to change architects. This gave us an opportunity for some design improvements, which are being made at this time. We now expect ground breaking in January, 2010.
Conclusion: This new flu virus is a reality. No one can be sure of what level of severity we will experience in Jackson County. At this time, citizens should practice increased hygiene, keep your exposure to a minimum, and stay informed. When the vaccine arrives, if you or your family members are eligible for a vaccination….be sure and get it.
Let us pray that the winter of 2009 is NOT one to remember.

City Raises Water Rates

Increases city revenues $270,000 per year.

By Sid Riley
At Tuesday’s regular meeting of the Marianna City Commission a 3% water rate increase was approved by the Commissioners. This action will increase revenues for the city by $270,000 per year, and will thus enable the operation of the system to reach a break even point.
This will amount to an average of $4.00 per month or about $50.00 per year from each household in the city. The sewage charge multiple will not be included in this increase.

Meet Ken Campbell, He Wants To Be A Malone City Councilman

He is running for seat vacated by Theresa Bergman.
By Sid Riley
Ken Campbell wants to become a Malone City Councilman by winning the seat vacated by Theresa Bergman. The election is next Tuesday, September 8.
Campbell moved to Malone about two years ago, after retiring as a Manager at an Owens Corning Plant in Cleveland, Tennessee. He had friends who lived in the Malone area, and had decided this was where he wanted to come with his wife Sue, after he retired from Owens Corning. He is currently employed by the county, and works for the Parks and Recreation Department. He was designated as Employee of the Month for Jackson County in February.
Campbell has been going to the Malone City Council meetings regularly, having been to all of them for at least a year. He feels he is well aware of what is going on, and what the job entails. “I just want to give something back to the community I now live in”, he states. “I have a career in management, and feel I can offer something to the Council. They are all doing a good job of making wise decisions and managing the city’s funds very frugally, but I feel I can help”.
Some of the issues which Campbell feels should be investigated by the Council in the coming months includes:
● Increasing police presence in the community. “We once had a part-time deputy which served our community, but the funding for that program must have run out. I would like to see if any part of that arrangement can be restored. Our citizens need the added security it would provide for them” Campbell states.
● Medical services. “We once had a clinic which was open on some days in Malone. It served many of our citizens, especially our older citizens. I would like to see if there is any way that service could be restored.”

“I hope the citizens of Malone will give me a chance by voting for me on Tuesday”, Campbell states.

Freedom To Pray Fund Drive Underway

Fund to help Pace High teachers defend themselves against ACLU.
By Sid Riley
The Jackson County Concerned American Patriots tea party group has launched a county wide defense fund raising effort to support the Pace High School teachers who are going to court on September 17 because they said a blessing prayer before a school related function. The ACLU has brought charges against them for this act, even though it occurred off campus.
The local Concerned American Patriots group encourages local citizens to support their fund raising effort to help these teachers defend their right to pray. If you would like to contribute, you can drop a gift by the Jackson County Times offices at 2866 Madison Street, Marianna, FL 32448, or mail a check to the same address. Make checks out to : Right To Pray Defense Fund.

Citizens Of Malone…..VOTE!!

Tuesday, September 8 is election day in Malone.

By Sid Riley
Tuesday is an important day in Malone in regards to the administration and approved powers of the city government in that Jackson County community. Citizens of Malone will be given the opportunity to vote on several issues of interest from 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM on Tuesday.
First, voters will be able to select the person who will fill the City Council seat vacated by Theresa Bergman, who moved after winning the position. The remaining term for the seat is two years and three months. There are three Malone citizens running for the seat, Vicki Garrett, Freddie Jones, and Kenneth Campbell.
Second, voters will be able to vote on numerous amendments to the existing City Charter, which was initially written in 1911. These amendments are designed to remove outdated, unnecessary items, to strengthen city codes, and to enhance the authority of the City Council.
The existing City Clerk, Linda Wilson, was unopposed in this election, and will serve another four year term. The same is true for City Council members Brenda Welch and Sally Gibson.
So next Tuesday will be an important day in Malone. Exercise your rights if you live there and participate in the election.