We heard from several readers about two stories that we shared this past week — one about the Chitlin’ Circuit and the other about the Odd Fellows fraternal organization.
So in the tradition of a mail bag column, I’m passing along their messages because they add layers to these stories that seemed to resonate with so many of y’all.
Chitlin’ Circuit
Mamie Dillard reached out to tell us about meeting Tina Turner when she came to Hopkinsville to perform with her husband, Ike Turner, at the Skylark Club, a popular stop for Black musicians on the Chitlin’ Circuit. Mamie’s husband, who later became Christian County’s sheriff, provided security for big shows at the Skylark.
Mamie emailed to say:
I was just reading your article on the Chitlin Circuit and it brought back memories of when Bill and I met Ike & Tina Turner at the Skylark Club. Bill worked security at the Skylark for owner Edward Babbage whenever African Americans performed at the club. I sometimes went with Bill when working security as I got to meet some of the stars for free.
I remember like it was yesterday, I was sitting with Bill at the entrance when Ike and Tina came in. Tina was Bill’s favorite all-time star and singer. As Bill welcomed them, Tina extended her hand to shake his, Bill was at a loss for words and I could see beads of sweat on his forehead (lol). Bill went on to explain that she was his favorite female singer. Tina reached in her bag and pulled out an autographed photo of her and Ike and gave it to him.
Mamie still has that photo and shared it with us.
Becky Snider Sprecher, a 1968 graduate of Hopkinsville High School who now lives in South Carolina, said the Chitlin’ Circuit story prompted conversation among classmates who have a regular Zoom meeting.
She shared:
I remember hearing Ann Ruby McCoy tell me that one of the clubs called when Count Basie was coming through and asked if they could use her grand piano. I guess they came out with a truck and moved it down there and back.
Suzie Walker Robinson said that her grandfather owned two grocery stores back in the ‘20s and ‘30s and used to sell food to the Black musicians coming through town. The KKK burned crosses in his yard.
Ehrai Adams added that her father started several clubs, each named The Chesterfield. While they weren’t all that successful, she does remember when he brought Count Basie to the location on Liberty Street …
I also spoke with Edwin White, a retired circuit judge, who recalled that his grandmother loaned her baby grand piano to a local club when Count Basie was performing in Hopkinsville. He remembers watching men who came to the house and removed the legs from the piano to move it.
Ron Hicks, pastor at Henderson Memorial Baptist Church, emailed to ask how he could find the old Chitlin’ Circuit sites in Hopkinsville. I suggested he try the Hopkinsville African American History Cell Phone Tour.
Odd Fellows
The story from WKMS about the history of the Odd Fellows brought this remembrance from retired librarian Margaret Macdonald:
My father, Mack Louis Johnson, was an Odd Fellow. He was a farmer, one of the occupations whose members comprised their membership. As a child, I remember going to parties for the members and their families in the Odd Fellows building at Ninth and Virginia Street. I distinctly remember going up all those stairs to the top floor where the Christmas parties were held in a large open room. It was a long climb for a little girl.
The parties were loud and festive. Everyone enjoyed seeing one another and sharing stories about what had happened in the last several months since they had been together. Times to leave work on the farm or one’s business were not as easy to come by then. Most people looked forward to such special occasions. The food was placed on large central tables, members and their families sat together for the meal, and the children played with the gifts that each one had received after the dinner.
Soon after my father passed away on December 19, 1992, a member of the Odd Fellows came to visit my mother at their home on Latham Avenue. He gave her a check for $200, one of the customs of the organization: to take care of the widows and children of the members. My mother was touched by the gesture. It had been many years since my dad had participated in any function of the Odd Fellows.
I doubt if there are many people in Hopkinsville who remember anything about the Odd Fellows. I thought this short history might be of some interest to those who will read about it in times to come.
Hopkinsville native Bill Edmunds also had childhood memories of his father in the Odd Fellows. He wrote:
I spent many nights watching ‘Gunsmoke’ and playing pool while Dad was in the ‘secret’ meeting upstairs. The best part of this ritual was he would give me a dime so I could go downstairs to the drug store and buy a candy bar. Sometimes I would “sneak” into the pool hall and play a game or two with “Pig” Choate (sp?). Somewhere in my storage boxes is Dad’s IOOF tie clasp which he wore to every meeting.
I remember he hated it when the membership roll got to such a low level it was decided to sell the building. This was doubly saddening for Dad because his Father had been a member for many years and I am sure Dad had childhood memories of going to meetings there.
It is funny how memories can make you feel younger and older at the same time.
Many thanks to our readers for adding detail and meaning to these local stories.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
