May / June 2011 Volume 3 | Page 8

Bonus Jimmy worked so hard for his money that getting a rare bonus was memorable. He recalled one year that the circus had just left a neighboring small town and he, along with other children, examined every square inch of grass in the area the circus had been performed on. His painstaking work paid off. He found 2 nickels and a quarter! Living in primitive conditions was the norm until a stroke of luck brought electricity to the Carter home in 1938 during America’s Rural Electrification Program. Not only was the Carter family fortunate enough to have one light bulb in their home, but their $10.00 electricity bill was one of the highest in the area after they were fortunate enough to install a electricity guzzling refrigerator and stove! w skills. earning ne L An interesting note about this was that because of the Carter’s “enormous” use of electricity, Jimmy’s father was elected to represent the area at the Sumter Electric Membership Corporation. This position introduced Jimmy’s father, and the family, to politics, thus giving Jimmy an early education on politics. Other people’s money Jimmy was also aware of what his relatives and neighbors did for a living and their saving and spending habits. For example, his Uncle Jack was a veterinarian and loved his 5 cent cigars. His Uncle Buddy, owned the Plains Mercantile Company, was also a banker at the same time, and refused to drink whiskey or Coca-Cola. Uncle Buddy’s side job was serving as mayor for which he was paid $2.00 per month, and maintained a reputation of being as tight with public money as he was with his own. In 1903 Plains decided to give their marshal a big pay raise. His salary went from $5.00 per month to $10.00 per month. However, the marshal would be required to pay for his own pistol, which would cost $10.00. A pistol was mandatory as shooting rabid animals was one of the marshals duties. Two enterprising men lived on the Carter’s property. Felton Shelton was a neighbor of young Jimmy’s. He was a gifted basket maker and would charge $4.00 for a custom made basket. Jimmy spent time with Felton learning how to make baskets as well. Jack Clark was a tenant living in a small home on the bend of a road, which went around the property of the Carters. In his own early version of AAA roadservice, Jack would offer to assist travelers, for $1.00, in getting their car out of ditches or mud. 6 The Quarter Roll May/June 2011 Click Here! Subscribe To The Quarter Roll!