Another real old timer gone

pineywoods · February 06, 2013, 01:05:36 PM

One of the last real old timers in our community passed away recently at the ripe old age of 96. he started out logging at an early age like this

He ran a sawmill for many years running a home-made circle mill with tractor pto power. (The mill burned, no pics). Typical of these type men, he could and did build or fix just about anything. A pillar of the community, he was known far and wide. What he was best known for, was his exquisitely carved boat paddles. When it was too cold and muddy to work in the woods, he sat in his shop and carved paddles with a drawknife. Wood of choice was straight-grained water oak.

Many of his works were donated for door prizes and fund raisers. Most people who have them, don't put them in the water. I know of several that hang on the walls of dens and offices as works of art. Some of the neighbors have started a project to keep his legacy alive. Last week I quarter sawed a donated 32 inch water oak log into paddle blanks. They will be bandsawn to shape and passed out to others for final finishing. I'll do a few myself, not that I need boat paddles. I think this qualifies as straight grain wood.

RIP Mr Bonney

hackberry jake · February 06, 2013, 03:31:18 PM

I couldn't think of a better wood for boat paddles than "water" oak. I was in G.T. (gifted and talented) when I was in middle school. We had the task of putting out a quarterly historical magazine called "Madison county musings". We got to invite the elders of our community and interview them about the past. It was extremely interesting hearing their detailed accounts of the past first hand. Everything from logging, to hunting, to wars, and everything in between. It sounds like this man was looked up to in your community and I'm sure he will be missed.

Autocar · February 06, 2013, 06:44:01 PM

Great story, sad part is we are losing these guys every day. I have a hickory axe handle in my wedge driving axe thats a 120 years old. The old fellow that gave it to me told me his father had made them . And to give you a idea how old Harry was he told me when he bougth his farm the widow lady was getting a pension from the U.S. and her husband that was killed in the cival war.

saxon0364 · February 06, 2013, 09:17:28 PM

Sorry for his passing. His kind are hard to replace now a days. Not to hijack the thread, but isnt it telling that men of that generation took their quiet pride in their skills. Now men tend to take pride in what they buy. Tools they barely understand, toys they have no time to use. If I had a nickle for every shiny pickup that never carry's any cargo or gets dirty I'd be rich enough to,, well,, buy a shiny new pickup, but mine would be dirty pretty and loaded quick. Not saying that's everybody today, its not. Matter of fact I doubt it applies to many that hang out here. But as a whole we could use a lot more of the character, and ability those old boys had, and a lot less of the posers we have today.

WDH · February 06, 2013, 09:25:34 PM

Wayne,

Thanks for sharing that. Makes you think about what is important. And yes, that certainly qualifies as straight grain wood. Very nice, and will make some fine commemorative paddles.

POSTON WIDEHEAD · February 06, 2013, 10:07:18 PM

Piney.....Great Post. All the work this gentleman did by hand......and I complain when I have to refill the gas tank on my mill. We don't know how good we have it.

Those paddles you are gonna make....sure would make good "stew" paddles. Stirring a good Deer stew in an old black pot. It don't get no better.

customsawyer · February 07, 2013, 06:18:46 PM

Great story and thanks for sharing.

ronnie tucker · February 07, 2013, 10:48:19 PM

i was just wondering about those log wagon pictures you posted a while back.then here one is.i wish i could have talked to this man.i wish i had a copy of those photos of log wagons.