WELLS AND WINDMILLS

Marshal Singletary

In the southwest corner of Georgia, there is a small family farm. Beside the farmhouse there is an old well. My great-grandfather drank from that well. My grandfather drank from that well. My mother drank from that well. Although I never drank from the well, I was known for occasionally throwing things into it.

The well had been replaced with a pump and windmill by the time I made my appearance on the farm. I have, nonetheless, tasted water from wells and windmills. On the hottest of days, the water was always cool, clear and seemed to have a taste to it. As long as the farmers had tapped a deep underground spring, the water was safe.

Okay, there were a few occasions when no one was allowed to drink from the well.

Occasionally, a chicken had to be retrieved from the well. (No, I never threw a chicken down the well!) The bucket would have to be lowered repeatedly until it was lifted out. After a day, the water was considered drinkable. I don't know if it was actually drinkable, but I've never heard of anyone getting sick from drinking well water.

The old well eventually gave way to a pump and windmill. The windmill gave way to an electric pump and indoor plumbing. The mule gave way to the tractor, and the wagon gave way to the truck.

Progress found its way to southwest Georgia.

The well, windmill and holding tank stood for many years on our farm. They were a testimony to another time: a time when spring water actually came from a spring, drawn with a bucket and delivered in a gourd or tin dipper. That was before we bought spring water in a bottle only to discover it was drawn from a tap in someone's company.

Our windmill and holding tank were disassembled long ago. My mother was relieved that I was no longer tempted to see if I could climb to the top. The well still stands, but is filled and covered. Only a few windmills are still standing. I suspect they are out of commission. I miss seeing them as I drive through the country side.

If I could find a usable well or windmill, I would ask for a drink. I would refresh the inner as well as the outer man. Then I would raise my dipper to an earlier, simpler day.

You can reach Marshall K. Singletary by U.S. mail at P. O. Box 420, Waynesboro, GA 30830, by telephone, 706-554-2188, or via email: msingletary@wfumc.org.