Interview with W. L. Terrill

Mayor Terrill came to McRoberts in 1929. He worked at Mine 213 for part of 1929 and 1930. The superintendent of this mine was a man called Schaffer, and the foreman was a man named Schick. Mayor Terrill went to Florida in 1930 and stayed for seven years. When he returned, he went to work at Mine 214 in McRoberts. The superintendent of this mine was E. P. Wolf. He was transferred from McRoberts to Jenkins to Mine 207 in 1942. He worked there for almost a month and was drafted into the service. He stayed in the service for about two years and did not have to go overseas. After completing the service, he went to the Everglades in Florida where he met his wife, Virginia. They have three children.

He came back to Jenkins and began to work in Mine 204. This mine is located behind the present Beth-Elkhorn shops in Jenkins. The foreman of this mine was Bill Stapleton. He worked at Mine 204 until 1958. After working there, he went to the shops and he worked there for 18 years. Damon Duncan was in charge of the shop at that time. After he retired, Gene Auxier took over Mr. Duncan's job. Mayor Terrill was an electrical repairman at the shop. His job at Mines 204 and 207 was joy operator.

Mayor Terrill has lived in Jenkins in his present home for 23 years. His home is located on Brick Yard Hill. He told us that this hill got its name from the bricks that were carried from there to the buildings that were being constructed in Jenkins.

He went on to state that Judge Abbott stayed on longest as police judge. Harry Moore was city attorney at one time. When McRoberts was annexed, the Mayor stated that he thought this was good for Jenkins, as the crime rate went down with the annexation. When he was asked about the water system and the future of the city, he told us that the water system has greatly increased revenue for the city.

The Mayor stated that business in Jenkins has improved over the years. The City Hall has been built, the new Dollar Store has gone into operation, the Golden Years Rest Home has begun, and the Overlook Terrace houses are being developed. The rest home has added revenue to the city and has also benefitted the whole county.

The Mayor stated that a small factory would be good for the town; however, a big factory probably would not survive in Jenkins. After the new road is completed, a small factory and probably a motel and restaurant will be built. There has always been several bigger chain stores wanting to open in Jenkins. This area has most everything mountain tourist resorts have except motels and restaurants. With these and maybe some of the novelty shops, sightseeing, etc., we would really have a nice tourist resort. The Fish Pond Lake is being improved by the civic clubs and it is really an asset to our community. We also have a country club with a golf G‑18course which is really nice for the community.

When asked about information concerning what the city plans to do with the revenue-sharing funds, the Mayor told us that the city bought the new police car with the money. The money from the revenue-sharing program is also responsible for paving the streets in Jenkins. The Mayor also said if the city could not get a special grant of some sort, they were going to try and get water and sewer facilities to the Forrest Hills section through the revenue-sharing fund. This money is paid to the city quarterly.

Mr. Terrill stated that he was mayor once before from 1958 to 1962 and when he was mayor the first time, the sewer system plans were approved by the government. He sent Councilman Bumgardner to Atlanta several times in order to get these plans improved. He has presently been Mayor of Jenkins for two years. The best thing done since he became mayor has been the repaving of the streets in Jenkins and the new city garbage collection. The water system is also in the process of being improved. Construction crews have been putting in new main lines and we have two new tanks.

The main difference between his first term as mayor and this term is that the first term was a real struggle; it was much harder to make ends meet.

There was a Terrill that was treasurer of the city in the early days, but the Mayor stated he was no relation to him.

Beth-Elkhorn is a real help to the city and they have bent over backwards to help us in any way they can. The lot the City Hall stands on now was granted to us by Beth-Elkhorn; they pay the largest amount of taxes on their machinery, etc., and they really help with the city revenue.

We asked the Mayor about the number of employees the City now has, and he told us there were 15. The present City Council, 1973, are: Ray Banks, Buddy Anderson, Ed Powers, Dale Walker, Robert Harris, and Wayne Fleming. Their terms expire this year.

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