JACK FERREE

Born March 25, 1930, in South Shelby, Mr. Ferree talks about growing up in Cleveland County and the way he and his friends amused themselves, such as playing tobacco sack ball on Lafayette Street, going to the movies on Saturday mornings, and pitching horseshoes. While still a youngster, he worked as a spare hand in the mill, making 36 cents an hour. Three mills were in the area in which he lived: Ella, Lily, and Shelby. His mother had begun working at Shelby Mill when she was only nine years old.

Mr. Ferree talks about changes he has seen in Cleveland County during his lifetime with the closing of most mills, the switch from a majority of the county’s population being Democrats, and less political clout for the county with the passing of men like O. Max Gardner.

American Legion Baseball was an important part of his life for several years, both as a player and as a manager. A highlight for him was the year that Shelby won the finals in Charlotte. His former coach, Roy Wilson Casey Morris, was a big inspiration in his life.