People of Taylor County

There were wonderful stories told thousands of times.  Before we had radio and TV, people were closer together and had more conversations and lots of stories were told.

One of these stories involves Judge Aultman and Mr. Paris.  Down Railroad Street right at the east side of the business block facing the railroad was the Paris House. It was across from Rick’s gin where they’re building a tourist place now.  It was a hotel built in a long L shape and it had a porch.  And the boards went up and down like you see chicken houses built sometimes.  It was protected from the weather because the porch went all the way around.  Every room opened on the porch and I guess there were chairs by every room.   But that’s where most of the traveling salesman would stay.  They would have a standing reservation.  They would work the stores and then go there and sleep.  One of them was Jewish and would fuss about everything.  Nothing suited him.

Judge Aultman was Bobby Aultman’s grandfather and a Justice of the Peace.  When I started school I know he was the mayor.  At the start of school Mr. Joiner got everybody in the auditorium and Judge Aultman welcomed us to Reynolds.  Most of the students came from the country.   I thought Judge Aultman would always be the mayor and I guess he might’ve been.  The only thing I remember people saying about him – and I don’t know if it was a criticism or compliment – was that if there was a sideshow in the United States, he was going to get it for Reynolds.   Back then we didn’t have much entertainment and we had all kinds of shows. Sometimes it wouldn’t be anything but a man and a monkey.

Anyway, Judge Aultman and Mr. Paris were the best of friends.  I don’t know which one thought it up, but they decided to pull a prank on the salesman.  They decided since he’s always fussing and nothing suits him, they would give him something to fuss about.  There weren’t any bathroom waterworks back then, so each room had a slop jar.  I think they’ve been used since the beginning of time. They filled a jar with home brew – and I think they put some crackers in it too – and put it under the bed in the man’s room.

They knew it was the day he was coming and they sat on the porch and waited for his arrival.  Sure enough he went to his room and he came storming out.  He was upset and said that this place is not fit for a pig to live in. They asked what was the matter.  He replied that for one thing the slop jar hasn’t been emptied for days.  They jumped up and Judge Aultman said, “Paris, let’s show him just how nice and clean a place you run!”  They went to the room and he followed them.  Mr. Paris reached under the bed and got the slop jar and started drinking it.  The man started jumping up and down and said, “Stop it gentlemen, stop it!!”  But they passed it to each other.   They said it was mighty good and they paused.  The man said that had he known they were going to drink it, he wouldn’t have used it.

Recorded by Roy Jones circa 1995