The Way It Was, Index
William Eugene "Gene" Barber, Artist, Instructor, Historian & Genealogist authored a series of articles for the Baker County Press entitled "The Way It Was".
His articles covered all aspects of Baker County pioneers lives in a colorful, entertaining, as well as, educational manner.
At an early age, Gene possessed the desire and ability to interview the 'Old Folks'.
He was as talented in the use of the pen, as he is with a brush, choosing his words and expressions
in a way to paint an exciting, interesting, and often, humorous
story.
The following is an index of his articles written in the years 1975 thru 1984
INDEX
"THE WAY IT WAS"
Gene Barber
Jul 1975
3 - Minor Role in Revolution
10 - The Early Days at Sanderson, part one
17 - Margaretta, an Interlude, part two
24 - Sanderson, Growing Up, part three and conclusion
31 - Capt. Dave Miller, An Indian Fighter
Aug 1975
7 - Settlers Versus Seminoles (Ware County)
14 - The Slaughter at Tippens' Pond (Tippens, Mizell, and Green)
21 - Early Episcopalianism in Baker County, part one - The Pioneers
28 - Early Episcopalianism in Baker County, part two - Rev. Snowden
Sep 1975
4 - The Story of the Macedonia Methodist Church
11 - The Plague in Darbyville
18 - Georgia's Claim to Baker County (Cone, Barber)
25 - A Genealogy of the Taylor Family
Oct 1975
2 - Possum Trot Written From Local Experiences (Harwick)
9 - The PreWar Years in Baker County
16 - A History of the Macclenny Postal System, part one
23 - A History of the Macclenny Postal System, part two
30 - The Shuey-Sessions House "Hainted" by the Past
Nov 1975
6 - A History of the Macclenny Postal System, conclusion and other comments
13 - Harvey Thomas and 19th Century Red Tape'
20 - Elisha Green, Pioneer Citizen - A Saga as Told by his Former Slave. (Spearing)
27 - The Harvey Family of Baker County
Dec 1975
4 - Three Persons Who Could Have Named Glen St. Mary (Cole, Vaughn, Taber)
11 - The Early Days in Baldwin - part one - Settlement (Thigpen)
28 - The early Days in Baldwin - part two - the War
25 - John W Jones, Planter and Secessionist
Jan 1976
1 - Williamsburg - The Town Killed By a Hill (Williams)
8 - The Florida Atlantic and Gulf Central Railroad
15 - A History Of the Canady Fort
22 - The Florida Record (Calahan, Nassau Co.)
29 - Okefenokee's Chesser Island
Feb 1976
5 - The Glen St. Mary Nursery - George L. Taber, Pioneer, part one
12 - George L. Taber, Family Man and Businessman, part two
19 - Some Notes on the.Crews Family - part one
26 - Some Notes on the Crews Family - part two
Mar 1976
4 - Historical Notes on the Georgia Bend , part one
11 - More Historical Notes on the 'Georgia Bend', part two
18 - St. George and Other Communities (Roberts, Gaineys, Hodges, Fitzgerald)
25 - The Burnsed Settlement and Oak Grove Church
Apr 1976
1 - The Powers Pioneers
8 - Earn Harris and the Discovery of the Taber Azalea
15 - The Beginnings of Lake Butler
22 - Raiford and the State Prison Farm
29 - Our Minorcan Heritage, part one - Canova
May 1976
6 - Our Minorcan Heritage, part two - Pons/Ponce
13 - Mose Thompson, Accidental Pioneer, part one
20 - Mary Thompson, Resourceful Pioneer Woman, part two
27 - The Story Behind Ellicott's Mound
Jun 1976
3 - From the Diary of Charles W. Turner, part one
10 - From the Diary of Charles W. Turner, part two
17 - From the Diary of Charles W. Turner, part three and conclusion
24 - County History Relatively Uhknown, but Unique (map)
Jul 1976
1 - A Chronology of Baker County's Past 5OO Years
8 - The Turner House Among City's Oldest
15 - Macclenny's Old and Interesting Houses - The Hardware Brown House
22 - The County Via the Eyes of an 1885 Guidebook
29 - Methodism in Baker County, part one - The Background
Aug 1976
5 - Methodism in Baker County, part two - The Split
18 - Methodism in Baker County, part three - During Post Civil War Era
19 - Methodism in Baker County, conclusion - Macclenny Methodist Church
26 - Mrs. Fraser and the Yankees
Sep 1976
2 - 'Sugarman' and the Polecat in the Mailbox (Stone and Harris)
9 - The Beginning of Woodlawn Cemetery, part one
16 - The Beginning of Woodlawn Cemetery, part two
23 - American Settlement in Spanish Florida
30 - The Seminoles Arrive
Oct 1976
7 - Early Residents and Roadways (map)
14 - Historical Potpourri
21 - The British Colonial Period in Florida
28 - The War of 1812 to Cracker Horse Trading (Garrett)
Nov 1976
4 - How the County Figured in the Election of 1876
11 - Republic of East Fla
18 - Spanish Florida Seen Through the Eyes of a Northern Visitor, part one
25 - Everyday Life in Northeast Fla., part two
Dec 1976
2 - Prehistoric Man in Baker County
9 - A Letter From 1876 (Hicks, Copeland, Cooper)
16 - A Cracker Christmas, part one
23 - A Cracker Christmas, part two (drawing, no historical data)
30 - An Incident of the Seminole War, part one (Johns)
Jan 1977
6 - An Incident of the Seminole War, part two
13 - An Incident of the Seminole War, conclusion
20 - A Preview of 'The Early People' History of Baker County
27 - Notes on the Civil War - Baker County Men andTheir Units, part one
Feb 1977
3 - Some Notes on the Civil War - the Men Who served, part two
10 - Notes on the Civil War Plus the Florida Campaign, part three
17 - Notes on the Civil War - the Big Day at Olustee, part four
24 - Interesting Sidelight to the Olustee Story, conclusion (DuFour)
Mar 1977
3 - Some of the Early Families in Olustee Area
10 - John Brown and the Monument Site
17 - Another Potpourri of Baker County History
24 - Still More Odds 'n Ends From County's Past
30 - Some After the War Politics
Apr 1977
7 - A Look at Some Public Records From 1877
14 - Gleanings From THE STANDARD - The Past Through Newspapers
21 - More Gleanings From THE STANDARD
28 - The Baxter Rebellion, part one
May 1977
5 - The Baxter Rebellion, part two
12 - The Baxter Rebellion, part three
19 - The Baxter Rebellion, part four
26 - The Baxter Rebellion, conclusion
Jun 1977
2 - The County's War Dead, part one (county cemeteries)
9 - The County's War Dead, part two (incorrectly dated)
16 - The County's War Dead, part three
23 - More on the County's Cemeteries, part four
30 - Partial List of Veterans Buried in the County, conclusion
Jul 1977
7 - McClenny Versus Macclenny, part one
14 - McClenny Versus Macclenny, part two
21- The Working Woman - A Short Tribute to Nettie Rowe
28 - The St. George Gazette, part one
Aug 1977
4 - The St. George Gazette, part two
11 - Some Interesting notes From Basement of Courthouse
18 - Notes From the Court of Judge Mott Howard
25 - Of Harveys and Prophecies
Sep 1977
1 - Early Area Roadways (map)
8 - The Crackers, part one - They Arrive in the Colonies
15 - The Crackers, part two - The Ancient Beginnings
22 - The Crackers, part three - The Norman Cousins
29 - The Crackers, part four - The Cracker Speech Begins
Oct 1977
6 - The Crackers, The Final Chapter, conclusion
13 - The Will of 'Tiger Bill' Roberts
20 - The Roberts Family
27 - Black Troops in Baker County, part one
Nov 1977
3 - Black Troops in Baker County, part two
10 - Black Troops in Baker County, part three
17 - Joseph Dicks, Early Pioneer From England
24 - The Daring Minnie Poythress, part one
Dec 1977
1 - The Daring Minnie Poythress, part two
8 - Geological Makeup of Baker County, part one - The Beginning
15 - Geological Makeup of Baker County, part two - Under the Sea
22 - Geological Make up of Baker County, conclusion
29 - Mrs. Cone Tells Her Story, part one - Klan Activities in Baker Co.
Jan 1978
5 - Mrs. Cone's Testimony, part two - Klan Activities in Baker County
12 - Ben Gurganus' True Feelings, part three - Klan Activities in Baker Co.
19 - The Founder of the Godwin Seminary
26 - The Dobbs Place - A Picture Story
Feb 1978
4 The Daugharty Family
9 - The Reilly Crews Place - 19th Century Pioneer Homestead in 1978 (photos)
16 - The Great Macclenny Fire of '23
23 - More Historical Potpourri
Mar 1978
2 - (no column this week)
9 - Some of Those 'Downright Strange' Names of Places, part one
16 - 'Downright Strange' Place Names in County, part two
23 - Baker County Place Names, part three
30 - Baker County Place Names, conclusion
Apr 1978
6 - (no column this week)
13 - The Community of Highland-Trail Ridge, part one
20 - The Community of Highland-Trail Ridge, part two
27 - Southern Incident (repeat of 20 Nov, 1975 article)
May 1978
4 - Area Routes in 1815 (map)
11 - Some Notes on the Johns Family
18 - The Sylvester Lyons Story
25 - Baker County's Position on Maps of the Past, part one
Jun 1978
1 - Baker County's Position on Maps of the Past, part two
8 - Baker County's Position on Maps of the Past, conclusion
15 - Baker County Ancestors in the War of 1812
22 - The Soldiers Story (W. T. Walters)
29 - The Mose Barber Story, part one
Jul 1978
6 - The Mose Barber Story, part two
13 - The Mose Barber Story, part three
20 - The Mose Barber Story, conclusion (incorrectly numbered)
27 - Westberry Griffis Story (drawing)
Aug 1978
3 - Gleanings From THE STANDARD, part one
10 - Gleanings from THE STANDARD, part two
17 - News Items From the County's Heyday, part one
24 - News Items From the County's Heyday, part two
31 - A Two Party System in Baker County, part one
Sep 1978
7 - A Two Party System in Baker County, part two
14 - Of New Jersey, Nostalgia and Downtown Revitalization, part one
21 - Of New Jersey, Nostalgia and Downtown Revitalization, part two
28 - The Crackers (photo essay and poem)
Oct 1978
5 - A Sampling of Baker County Politics Through History
12 - More News Items From the Good Old Days, part one
19 - More News Items From the Good Old Days, part two
26 - Ghosts, Haints, and Boogers
Nov 1978
2 - Notes on the Wolfe Family
9 - Various Early Raulersons, part one
16 - Various Early Raulersons, part two
23 - Various Early Raulersons, part three
30 - Various Early Raulersons, conclusion
Dec 1978
7 - Wedding Customs In 1907 (Barber, Godwin)
14 - Old Fashioned Christmas Thoughts
21 - Sharing a Few Choice Christmas Memories of Home
28 - The Twelve Days of Christmas and Cracker Folk
Jan 1979
4 - A Fresh Start (review and prospectus)
11 - 1924 Nursery Catalog, part one (Glen St. Mary Nurseries)
18 -1924 Nursery Catalog, part two and a Memorium for Loyce K. Coleman
25 - Some Notes on 'Lightered', part one
Feb 1979
1 - Some Notes on 'Lightered', part two
8 - The Saga of George Reynolds
15 - Samuel Spearing, Slave to Lawmaker
22 - The Big Snow (photo story, Moniac, Georgia)
Mar 1979
1 - Growth and Progress?, part one (county history in population)
8 - Growth and Progress?, part two
15 - Growth and Progress?, part three
22 - Growth and Progress?, conclusion
29 - Immoral Behavior on the Creek Bank (Harris)
Apr 1979
5 - Black Pioneers - The Indian Fighter and the Wood Chopper (Rawls, Jason)
12 - Some Tips on Genealogy
19 - History of County Newspapers (Powell)
26 - The Fraser Pioneers
May 1979
3 - The Great Horse Race (Altman, Harris)
10 - A Portrait of the Dowlings (photo)
17 - William Henry Stone, 1843 - 1917
24 - You're Getting Old if...(no history data)
31 - Thoughts on Memorial Day, and a Proposal (DuFour, Cong. Bennett)
Jun 1979
7 - More...You're Getting Old if...
14 - Frontier Recreation - Some Notes on Dancing, part one
21 - Frontier Recreation, part two
28 - Recognizing Pioneers in Preservation of History Here (Coleman, Morris,
Ferry, Harris, Smallwood)
Jul 1979
5 - Gooder English and a Book Review (FROM BEGINNINGS TO BOOM, Barber)
12 - A Belated Fourth of July Article (Bessent, Brown)
19 - Arch Hogans
26 - The Old Courthouse
Aug 1979
2 - The Telegraph Centennial (Bradford County)
9 - Miss Addie's Background, part one,
16 - Miss Addie's Background, part two,
23 - The Sessions Family, part one, the Circuit Rider
30 - The Sessions Family, part two, the Widow
Sep 1979
6 - The Sessions Family, part three, conclusion
13 - Hurricanes, Guns, and a Meeting
20 - Dear Mrs. Fletcher (editorial)
27 - Historical Society Puts Prints On Sale (art reproduction, Olustee)
Oct 1979
4 - Buzzard Barbara (book review, Florida historical novel)
11 - Yellow Fever Epidemic, an Eyewitness Account (Wolfe)
18 - A Witch Story (Barber, Wilkerson)
25 - A Few Halloween Lessons (editorial)
Nov 1979
1 - A Backwoods Frolic (1880's eyewitness account)
8 - An Expedition Along the Saint Mary's River (1880's eye witness account)
15 - A Muster Roll From 1862 (Camden County, Georgia)
22 - Reflections On a Rainy Afternoon (comments in nostalgia)
29 - James B. Matthews (obit with data on early printing business
Dec 1979
6 - Some Ideas on Generating Our Own Electricity Here (editorial)
13 - Some of Your Reactions to Column Materials Past (quotes from letters)
20 - Ain't Nothing So Bad You Can't Learn From It (Christmas and comments)
27 - Devil Enoch Roberts, part one
Jan 1980
3 - Devil Enoch Roberts, part two
10 - Devil Enoch Roberts, Part three and A Memorial (Mace A. Harris)
17 - Devil Enoch Roberts, Epilogue
17 - Genealogical libray February opening
24 - The Union dead - Olustee, Part one
31 - Official reports and legends - Olustee, Part two
Feb 1980
7 - Lizzie and the Yankee officer - Olustee, Part three
14 - Re-enactments & relics - Olustee, part four
21 - The Monument - Olustee, final part
28 - Some papers pertaining to Philemon Bryan
Mar 1980
6 - The shooting at the frolic
13 - So you want to dig up your Grandpa?..., Part one
20 - So you want to dig up your Grandpa?..., Part two
27 - So you want to dig up your Grandpa?..., Part three