Tribute to a Legend Cora Ledbetter 1902-1997 By: Pearl Wilson

I've heard the saying 'When an elder person dies an encyclopedia is buried'. When Cora Ledbetter was buried September 12, 1997, Several volumes of encyclopedias were buried. I was an admirer of hers long before I met her, learning of her history notes and many writings that she published. I wish I had known Cora many years ago. I did get to meet her in the nursing home and sat with her for a good while. While there she told me some of her stories about Leatherwood Mountain in the early 1900's. I am privileged and fortunate to have one of her daughters as a dear friend. Cora was a contributing writer for the History of Stephens County. She did a lot on recording old cemeteries. These were located in Stephens county, but also Banks, Franklin and Habersham counties. She wrote about Indians, stories handed down to her by her parents and family. She wouuld tell you "If the red men were to visit Stephens county now, they would not believe their hunting grounds have been cleared of virgin timber, the wild game and plants almost extinct." Stephens county is rich in Indian lore, Cora would say. Rich in many Indian mounds, town sites, trading posts and many, many rock shelters and special sites. Sites that later became known as Roman's Den, The cove, Red Hill, Acre Patch, Eastanollee Creek, North Fork and Broad River. Cora walked all of the areas mentioned and recorded each site. If she told you something about a historical or pre-historical place, You could believe her. It was just like she told, not made up fantasy or fiction. On one of our visits she told me all of the Indians did not leave Stephens, Banks and Habersham counties. Many stayed and lived in numerous mines located in the mountain areas of these counties. Mines that once had minerals such as silver, lead carumdum, cyanide, asbestos, mica, talc graphits, iron, rubies,elias and an occasional diamond were found. Then these abandoned mines became home to the Indians that did not want to leave their homeland. Cora wrote about growing up on Leatherwood mountain, attending school at Cannon in 1908. She wrote about the people who donated land for early schools and churches to be built, the teacher and the children she went to school with. Cora knew about wild plants, were they grew and what medicinal purpose they were for. she also knew every hill, mountain and creek. Her life contained many memories of 'Rushy Branch' where she lived. Many of Cora's stories cenetered around how the hills and mountains got their names. For instance, Allen Mountain received its name from a family that came from a northern state. Unfortunately they didn't have what it took to make a living on Allen mountain. Allen Mountain was also part of Soapstone Mountain. The name coming from the mineral found there. One of my trips to this mountain I visited a grave site with U.S. Forest Ranger Tom Hawks. There are two graves here marked only with field stone. The U.S. service has no record of who was buried in these graves. Well, later while going through some of cora's notes I found this information. James Willis Simmons born 1816 and died of mouth cancer 1864 (?), buried at foot of Soapstone mountain. This was Cora's great grandfather and she remembered where the burial site was. Cora's history notes solved another mystery of a burial on Lake Russell Wildlife Refuge. In many years of walking and working on the 17,000 acres I've found more than a few mysteries. In the Stephens County History book we found this data recorded: Mealers buried on government land. 'Bug' Mealer 1807 and Matthew Mealer (no date). I could not imagine someones death being recorded using a nick name. Cora related that her two great grandmothers were sisters and as sisterswill, they fussed, always bickering with one another. So their parents would say the 'Duck is always chasing the 'Bug'. 'Duck' was Catherine Smith wife of James Willis Simmons and 'Bug' was Arlette Smith wife of Matthew Mealer. Who would have ever guessed 'Bug's' real name. They were buried with no headstones soon this history may be forgotten. Mrs. Cora Ledbetter had many talents besides writing and recording history of Habersham, Stephens and franklin counties. For 27 years she taught school at Tallulah Falls and Clarkesville. She was a charter member of BWMU, Georgia Power Women's club, Home Demonstration Club, Sponsor for 4-H club for 18 years, leader of Sunbeams, member of U D C; directed choirs at schools, taught first aid classes. civil defense classes, was a member of the committee to write the sixth grade science book for the state of Georgia. Cora haad a certificate in home nursing which has been of untold assistance in these past years. She published one book and had several ready to assemble. Her writings for the Tri-County advertiser, Toccoa record, Piedmont herald and the Anderson Independent were enjoyed by many. she did all this and still had time to paint, weave, hook rugs, knit, crochet and collect dolls. Do you remember my opening sentence? When Cora died a set of encyclopedias were buried. It has been a blessing knowing Cora. I felt I had to pay my respects to her at the funeral home. I could hardly believe my eyes, for there surrounding her coffin, in the chapel were many framed articles of her accomplishments. Articles about tooth picks made of goose feathers, shuck mop, recipes for wood sorrel jelly, hickory nut pie, flu jackets. It was the way Cora would have wanted it. I will always treasure the information I received from cora, her scrapbooks and newspaper articles. I'll never forget the last visit I had with Cora at the nursing home. It was near Christmas and just before leaving her room we looked out her window and saw huge snow flakes falling. Cora became very quite while watching the snow come down, she seemed to be miles away in thought, thinking and studying and I wished I could have seen her thoughts and know the stories and memories she was seeing. "FAREWELL CORA" Pearl Wilson, U.S. Forest Service Volunteer Lake Russell Wildlife Management Area