A community visit to Jamestown

By Greg Little, Managing Editor

In some ways, the “elder statesewomen” of Jamestown like things just the way they are.

In other ways, they do hope things can change in the future to provide more opportunities for the community’s residents.

Jamestown is a small community in western Tipton County, not far from the Mississippi River.

“I like it here,” said Katerean Harber, who was born in Arkansas but has lived in Jamestown for many, many years.

“We all join together and get along well. There are not a lot of problems.”

She said there are two churches, one Methodist and one Baptist, and “we all get along. They come to ours and we go to theirs.”

In fact, the community is preparing for a big celebration on Aug. 28 when present and former residents will gather for food and festivities. There will be arts and crafts, plenty of food including homemade ice cream and, most importantly, good fellowship.

“It is so peaceful,” said resident Larue Albritton. “I know everybody here and we are all in clubs together.”

The true “elder states-woman” of the community is Willie Mae Burton. Though she isn’t originally from Jamestown, it’s fair to say she is from Jamestown when you consider the fact she moved there from Texas in 1946.

She knows all about Jamestown.

“I like the people,” said Burton. “I like the quietness.”

When asked about what has happened over the years in Jamestown, she pondered a minute and then said, “Well I know what happened to me. I had 11 kids!”

That’s enough to keep anyone busy. She’s very proud of the fact all graduated from high school.

Recently, quite an adverse event happened to Burton when she was in her kitchen and fell. She broke both of her arms.

But her children really stepped up and took care of her during that trying time.

There’s also another thing which she is quite well known for: Biscuits, the homemade variety.

Everyone says her biscuits are the best. They are legendary in the Jamestown area.

“She’s a sage,” said her niece, DarSay Burton. “She is so involved in so many things.”

“She is loved and respected in Jamestown,” said Harber.

DarSay Burton did remember one quite interesting story involving her aunt. It seems when DarSay was young, a few of her friends got together and decided to make some homemade mud pies. Well, they reasoned some fresh eggs would be needed to put together such a concoction.

With that in mind, they entered the chicken coop owned by Willie Mae. DarSay said some of the eggs “weren’t all the way out yet,” but the youngsters went ahead and pulled them the rest of the way. They had their eggs for the mud pies.

Needless to say, even back then when telephones weren’t’ part of life in Jamestown, word got around quickly. The first word got to Willie Mae.

“Everyone got a whipping,” said DarSay. “Everyone. She went around from house to house and everyone got a whipping. It didn’t happen again.”

Asked what has been the biggest change in the community over the years, all agreed the best thing is not having to work in the fields.

“I don’t have to chop cotton or pick cotton no more,” said Albritton with a smile.

Harber agreed, saying back in the old days, everyone had to pitch in. She said if your family was done with their fields, you just moved on over to your neighbor’s fields and helped out.

“You learned to pull your load,” said Harber.

She also said it taught her the value of a hard day’s work and that remains with her today.

“We don’t let anything pass by,” she said.

A couple of younger residents of the community, Jeffrey and Janice Mosley, also enjoy living in the area.

They have children ages 20, 17, 11 and 7, and both said they like Jamestown.

“It is a good community,” said Janice. “It is peaceful and quiet.”

Her husband echoed those thoughts, saying it is a good place to “raise a family.”

Janice agreed, noting that if their kids are home alone, there’s always somebody watching out for them — including keeping them out of trouble.



Growing pains?

Although everyone enjoys the peacefulness of Jamestown, they all hope some things can change as Tipton County grows.

One thing they really want is to have a community center.

Harber heads up the committee which has been organized to handle the undertaking. She said it’s not easy but everyone said it’s needed.

Harber envisions a building where the community can come together and where the kids can hang out and enjoy each other’s company.

They are also hoping to have hiking trails in the area because there are plenty of wooded areas for trails to be placed.

“We are working to raise the money,” said Harber. “We don’t have a meeting place.”

DarSay Burton said groups currently meet in the old store but something better is needed.

They have approached their elected leaders in Nashville and Washington and have also discussed the matter with county officials.

However, Harber said it is a difficult project and funds are needed to get it off the ground. She encouraged anyone interested to contact her because the group does have non-profit status and hope to eventually make the community center happen.

Harber is also hopeful the proposed Interstate 69 may come near their area and a company might be interested in building at that location.

“We need something to entice the young people to stay,” she said.

Whether any of that happens or not remains to be seen. However, it is a given that fellowship and a sense of community will always be a part of Jamestown.

Willie Mae Burton will have it no other way.

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