Post Scripts: Memories of small town characters

I have fond memories of the old Bank of Gallatin building, as well as the former First National Bank building, which ‘way back then’ was located at the southeast corner of the square, next to Elbert’s Department Store. As I recall it was about half a block long and maybe 15 feet wide. When Kathy and I arrived in Gallatin, the south side of the square boasted Place’s Grocery, Barton Appliance, the A.R. Moore furniture store, Woodruff’s Ice Cream, Gann’s Bargain Store and Fitterer’s Grocery. Time has changed the scene, but it’s good Elbert’s and Barton Appliance are still there.

Getting back to the Bank of Gallatin building, I miss it because it holds such special memories. It’s president was Raymond Wade. It wasn’t exclusively our bank; we also used The First National Bank. I greatly respected its president, Floyd Tuggle, who was also our neighbor. The unique memories I have about the Bank of Gallatin are lodged in my memory, based on recollections I have of two outstanding, now-deceased, citizens and close friends of mine, Attorney Sam Evans and Grocer Roland Merrigan,

If there ever were two more interesting "characters" in Gallatin, aside from "Goldie," who collected monthly bills for several businesses and whose reputation was sometimes challenged. Virgil Ramsey, an errant member of Gallatin’s black community, I have simply forgotten them. I’ll never forget Ab Rulon who would come to the newspaper office to borrow a dollar "‘till Tuesday."

Both Roland and Sam were unquestionably honorable and valued citizens. Sam was married to Mabel, a straight-laced, solid Methodist who walked a straight line on just about everything and everybody. Roland was married to Ella who was pretty much a stay-at-home person. However, when we moved to Gallatin she was cashier in the grocery store for several years.

Roland’s relatives always insisted he intended to leave his nice brick home to Kathy and me upon his death, but they said he never got around to changing his will. Kathy and I never grieve over what we never had. Oh yes… Gallatin would have never had a Catholic church had it not been for Roland – and he was a major contributor.

Sam Evans and wife, Mabel, attended the Methodist church where she was quite active and exceptionally efficient in church offices. Sam, as I recall, was quite regular in attendance.

Roland had an office in the north end of the bank building on the ground floor. His office door was directly across the street from the newspaper office. My phone would ring and it would be Roland: "Come on over. I’ve got an idea that will be good for Gallatin." I’d march over there and he’d launch into another project or promotion which was, most often, beneficial for our town’s businesses.

I frequently had to contact Sam in his office, who was always, nervously, working on a legal matter. Sam’s office was on the second floor of the bank building. He was a "nervous Nellie" sort of guy, his movements swift and his conversation often like a crisp courtroom presentation. I never once saw Mabel tidy up his office, which wasn’t the neatest spot in the county. I’m sure she would have been "over-ruled."

Anyway, I’ve let my thoughts ramble this week. I treasure the friendship of both these gentlemen, each a pleasant chapter in the Gallatin I knew and still love. Most small towns have secrets and "characters" and it just occurred to me – I may be one myself. So be it. I’m proud to call Gallatin "home."