Dear Editor,
I was just in Dillon not long ago visiting relatives and friends. I happened to pick up and look through your newspaper and saw one of Mr. Jim Goings’ sons and read his article. I liked it because it took me way back. I knew that Reverend Goings had to be one of Mr. Jim Goings’ sons because he looks so much like him. I left Dillon when I was around twelve and moved to the city. When I lived in Newtown, Mr. Jim Goings’ jobs were about the only job in Dillon that many black men could find. Mr. Jim would give about anybody a job and a chance to work if they could handle working in construction and brick work. I have heard that some of his sons are keeping his legacy going in the construction and brick-laying business. Reverend Goings’ article about Newtown sure enough took me back. For example, I well remember the dusty dirt roads, pot holes and big puddles of water after it would rain. How can I ever forget those stinking outhouses that I had to use until I moved up the road. His recalling of Newtown and especially the Bottom being a place where many people were stabbed, shot or murdered was so accurate. I well remember Jimmy’s, Bubba’s, Margie’s, the Green Top, After Hours and a few more night clubs back in those days. I fully agree with him that many people moved to Newtown straight from living out in the country like my family. I have heard that Mr. Jim Goings has two more sons besides Reverend Michael who are either preaching or in local politics. This does not surprise me that his sons would be doing something meaningful and worthwhile. For how can they not help but in some way to help people and families to survive and be better like their daddy did in his day. Again, I thank you Reverend Goings for being a historian and reminding me where I came from. But, most of all, I thank you for being a chip off the old block, for looking and being so much like your father.
Sincere Thanks,
Bobby Jackson
PO Box 1388
Paterson, NJ 07544