William (Billy) Bryant was born in the rolling hills of the North Carolina Piedmont in 1918. As a boy, he helped his parents on a small two-horse farm raising cows, hogs, and grain. Billy, being an only child, loved to roam the beautiful Uwharrie Mountains that surrounded their farm. On Sundays, Billy and his family attended a small country church that was...
Read MoreDon’t Forget Your Hat!
Growing up on a farm in Richmond County, I didn’t think twice about wearing a hat. Being out in the hot sun or cold wind, people are advised to wear some type of head covering. In my granddad’s time and before that, hats were something of a fashion statement. Why, ladies wouldn’t leave home without their hats or bonnets on. They would wear them to work...
Read MoreRunning Deer (part 2)
As we continue with our story, many moons had passed, and Running Deer’s father had not returned from his hunting trip. Running Deer’s mother, Beautiful Flower, had lain awake many nights wondering if her husband would return. For almost a year, this mother and her ten-year-old son had lived by themselves in their small lodge along the banks of Little...
Read MoreRunning Deer (part 1)
In times long past, many different tribes, or bands of Native Americans, lived along the Pee Dee River. They were mostly Eastern Siouan such as the Catawba, Keyauwee, Waccamaw, and Cheraw tribes. Most Native Americans lived in small groups, but there were larger ceremonial towns also. One such town was located in northern Richmond County, and is now...
Read MoreThe Ol’ Ninety-Three
For some reason, I’ve always loved trucks. Growing up on my Granddad’s farm we had an old red ‘48 Ford. It was a ton truck that had duel wheels on the back. It was equipped with a flatbed, but we had side planks and a tailgate we could easily slip on it. The manual transmission was in the floor with a granny gear. Why, I bet that truck wouldn’t run...
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