W. A. 'Dock' Doyle

The W. A. 'Dock' Doyle family is the unforgettable Milstead pioneer family that brings to vivid life the spirit of the community. The Doyle's always stood tall and true to their family pride. Dock was one who took part in all the community activities. The Doyle's form an epic story of the making of a historical adventure in growing up in a small cotton mill town.

Friends and associates paid a tribute to Mr. Doyle when he retired in 1957 after completing 41 years of continuous service to the company and community.

Dock was born on February 12, 1886, in Knoxville, Tennessee. He began work as a grocery clerk for which he was paid $1.00 per week and board. In later years he worked for his father as a waterboy and timekeeper at a rock quarry. He was a mathematician, which enhanced his success in reaching the top of his chosen field. He once demonstrated his skill adding a column of three digits faster than the old fashioned adding machine he had in his office.

In 1916, Dock came to Milstead and was employed in the warehouse and yard. A year later he was transferred to the night cloth room as overseer and continued in that capacity until 1921 when he was promoted to Cloth Room Overseer. He remained in that capacity for 37 years.

It was interesting to hear him tell about the old paper mill and the first power water turbine that furnished power through pulleys and large ropes. His knowledge of the early construction of the mill enabled the Milstead historians to record this important phase of the Milstead Cotton Mill.

He was one of the outstanding athletes of his time, pitching for the Milstead baseball team. It was said that he had a fast ball that by today's standards would hit 100 MPH. He could throw it in a quart cup at sixty feet. He played from 1905 to 1925. After he quit playing, he managed the Mill team until the mid-thirties. He once said his favorite team was: Walt (Chief) Williams, pitcher; Joe (Red) Stewart, catcher; Dewitt (Dude) Winborn; F. B. (Sam) Stewart; Alford (Runt) Parks; Dolf (Foots) Herrington; Boyd Britt; Ernest (Blue Ribbon); and Luke Herrington. He was also a great wrestling fan and an expert billiard shot.

In 1912, he married Clyde McNorton. Their children were: W. A., Jr.; Hubby; Milton; Bobby; Albert (Abby); and Inez. Inez was a life-long teacher and married C. T. Stephenson, the principle of the Milstead School System. Miss Clyde was a civic-minded person, taking the lead parts in all the ladies' activities of the community.

The five sons of Dock inherited their father's baseball talent and excelled in Milstead and high school sports. They chose not to pursue their talent beyond Milstead, even though the Atlanta Cracker scouts offered them contracts to play organized ball in the Class D league. Milton worked in the payroll department, leaving for employment with Georgia Power as plant supervisor. He retired as administrator in that system. In his early boyhood Milt developed a bone infection that kept him from active participation in his favorite sort, baseball. His desire to pitch led him to fabricate a leg guard from a hard fiber material from a discarded drawing can from the Carding Room. Using what he could find, he developed a leg guard with leather belting and buckles. Research indicates his creation was made years before they ere used in professional baseball. (It may have been another first.)

Albert worked in the Milstead supply room before moving on to General Tie and Westinghouse Companies. W. A. worked and retired from B. Z. Metal Stamping Company. Hubby was employed by J. M. Tull and Mead Corporations. Bobby is employed at Lockheed at Marietta, Georgia.

~ copied with permission from 'The Story of Milstead'  by Frank Smith, page 80

Callaway Beacon, Vol. 9, #43, April 4, 1957