Chapter Thirty Three

June 8, 1939

While I am on the old Lincoln Road I will go back to where it branched off of the Rutherfordton and Shelby road at what was known as the Red Tavern. This tavern was directly in front of where Mrs. J. D. Ledbetter now lives, on present U. S. Highway No. 74, Forest City to Spindale, and about two hundred yards below Capt. John B. Eaves’ home. When the Carolina Central Railroad first ran to that point they built a depot almost in front of the Red Tavern. The depot was called Champton. Later this depot building was moved to Forest City, and the same building is yet used as a depot.

The old Lincoln road ran in an easterly direction from the Red Tavern. Mr. Harrison Grose lived near this road, about three miles northwest of Forest City, and I believe his son, Mr. Andy Grose, now lives in the same house that his father did.

Mr. Grose was a gunsmith by trade. I never knew him personally, but I have heard it said that he was a very fine workman. I had an uncle, John O. Whisnant, who was also a gunsmith. I believe it was Mr. Andy Grose who told me that his father always said he could make a finer gun than Mr. Whisnant, but Mr. Whisnant could always beat him shooting.

This old road crossed Second Broad river at Bennix bridge. This is where Bostic railroad yards are located. The old road then crossed Roberson’s Creek and ran by White House Joe Greene’s home where Green’s Grove post office was located, and then crossed the Piney Mountain road at Washburn’s Store. Rev. George W. Rollins, a Baptist minister, resided on this old Lincoln road between Green’s Grove and Washburn’s Cross Roads.

Mr. Rollins was one of the leading ministers of the county and was very popular. He served as pastor of a number of churches of the county. I have heard it said that he was pastor of Big Springs Baptist church for forty-five years. His family have all died except two daughters, Mrs. J. B. Harrill, of Chester, S. C. and Mrs. W. C. Blanton, of Forest City. Mr. Rollins had a son, George Willie Rollins, who was also a minister. He and I were young men at the same time and were very good pals.