As a lover of history, the story of Hartwell’s namesake Nancy Morgan Hart has always fascinated me.
I’m sure you’re very familiar with the legend, but it goes something like this…During the Revolutionary War, Hart was forced to quarter Redcoat soldiers in her home, where she fed them turkey and copious amounts of alcohol.
Once those men were good and drunk, Hart held them at gunpoint and demanded they stay still. Several soldiers refused to heed her demands and were shot and killed instantly. Hart, nicknamed ‘War Woman’ by the local Native Americans, proved she’d use whatever means necessary to protect her home, property, and way of life.
As a Savannah, Ga native, my hometown shares a similar story.
In late 1864, Union General William Sherman marched the length of Georgia, burning every piece of property in his wake, and Savannahians feared hell headed their way. When Union troops reached Fort McAllister just outside the city, its leaders devised a plan to distract Sherman and his men the only way they knew how: by throwing a proper party.
My ancestors drowned Sherman and his troops in Chatham Artillery Punch, and by the end of the night, those boys were so inebriated that Sherman did something entirely out of character. He spared the city of Savannah from scorched Earth.
On Dec. 22, 1865, Sherman’s telegram to President Abraham Lincoln read like drunk text.
“I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah,” Sherman decried.
In both cases, alcohol might have been the means to an end, but the story’s point remains: Savannahians, like Hartwellians, are proud of their history and will do whatever it takes to preserve it.
With that mindset and nearly 23 years of experience in journalism, I pen this piece as the new publisher and managing editor of the Hartwell Sun. I come to Hart County with my wife Renee, who serves as the Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs for Piedmont University, and our three children Logan, Reid, and Vivian.
My vision for this historic weekly paper that John McGill founded in 1876 is to tell the story of the places and people that make Hart County unique.
From the small businesses driving the local economy on Howell Street to the local athletes giving their all for their community on the ball fields of Hart County High School, we plan to tell their stories in a way that would make Nancy Hart proud.
Make no mistake, this paper’s news won’t be all sunshine and roses. We will provide insight through our coverage into those who govern every inch of the 257 square miles encompassing Hart County.
Over the last 13 years, I’ve worked in Florida’s capital city of Tallahassee in the administrations of two Governors: Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis. Florida has operated as an open government state for many years, claiming “sunshine” as the most stringent disinfectant to corruption.
That’s the mantra that will drive our coverage of local government. We want to keep our residents here in Hartwell abreast of what their leaders say and do.
As Thomas Jefferson so eloquently stated, “The defense of democracy is an informed electorate.” Accordingly, the Sun’s mission during my tenure will be to keep each of our subscribers well-informed.
Over the coming months, I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible through local civic organizations, government meetings, and of course, Friday Night Lights at Pete Herndon Stadium.
While I’m not a native of Hartwell, I hope the coverage of your community makes you all forget that little insignificant detail. As we move forward, I charge each of you to send me your story ideas. The only way to learn my way around this town is through the comments, suggestions, and even constructive criticism the local community provides.
As we meet, I want to share with you that I am one of the three million Americans who suffer from stuttering. As I get to know y’all, I’d ask for a little grace and patience as I shake your hands, because sometimes the words jumble themselves out of my mouth.
My inbox is always open at editor@hartwellsun.com, and I can’t wait to hear from you and learn what makes this place tick. If the motto of the Hart County Bulldogs rings true, we all share #OneHartBeat, and that includes your gracious community publisher.