Living Voices of the Past: Lessons for the Present
by Barbara Lemos
On a beautiful autumn day with “salubrious breezes” rustling the leaves, over 100 locals and visitors gathered in the Old Smithville Burying Ground for the Southport Historical Society’s annual “Living Voices of the Past” program. Thirteen costumed presenters shared tales of Southport’s colorful characters at the gravesites of their subjects. Some presenters were descendants; others were simply inspired by the stories that their characters wanted to share from the great beyond.
The common thread connecting many of the characters was their courage in the face of daunting obstacles, and their willingness to put the lives of others ahead of their own. Obstacles included hurricanes, maritime perils, war, disease, injury, disability, destitution, and bereavement (not to mention societal and family expectations and the rigors of life in the days before the comforts we now take for granted.)
From Jessie Stevens Taylor, Southport’s stalwart weather observer who saved countless lives during Hurricane Hazel to Theresa Thompson who helped guide confederate blockade runners, losing a husband and two sons to the Cape Fear River then establishing a lifesaving service, to resilient Spanish Flu survivor Katie Piver Farmer Cox, the history of Southport is anchored by women who prevailed against unimaginable odds.
Southport’s men were equally undaunted by adversity, from “Sonny” Dosher who, despite losing family members in a sailing accident and suffering a serious civil war wound, served 30 years as lighthouse keeper on Bald Head Island to John Watts who risked his life repeatedly to save shipwreck victims. Their heroic efforts saved many others from premature death (and their loved ones from tragic loss.)
In an era where the priorities of “self” seem to outweigh all else, living history programs can inspire us to consider how we might leave our comfort zone and make a difference in the lives of others. A great way to start would be to join the Southport Historical Society www.southporthistoricalsociety.org whose hard work keeps this program thriving, providing wonderful profiles in courage for us to emulate.
Top Right: Liz Fuller portraying Jessie Stevens Taylor; Bottom Left Travis Gilbert portraying Sonny Dosher
Left to Right: Charles Christianson portraying a reporter for SS San Francisco, Martha Johnson portraying Mrs. Margaret Woodlock
Left to Right: Carol Jutte, Mary Sands, and Martha Koletar of the DAR portraying the Widow Russ and the story of Sempronius Russ; Jake Grossman portraying J.L. Watts
Left to Right: Juli Newton shares her father, Art Newton’s life story, and Candace Bland portrays the widow, Teresa Thompson.