Genealogist and author Thomas Locke Mayfield will give a book talk on his newest book, “Whispers from Columbus Past: Stories from the Past that You Should Know” on Monday, Jan. 28, at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library from 2-3 p.m.
“Whispers from Columbus Past” includes stories about local people and events such as the murder of Gene Erwin Tate in 1960, the Gilmer Hotel, the Stephen D. Lee High School football team winning the 1936 national championship, and the murder of John Allison Hardy in 1952.
Co-author and local historian Carolyn Burns Kaye will also speak about her contribution and research on Maj. Thomas Garton Blewett (1798-1871) of the Stephen D. Lee House and Museum. Kaye wrote about Blewett’s life and impact on the city of Columbus in “Whispers from Columbus Past.”
Mayfield’s other books include “The Life and Times of Tom Locke,” “The Sykes Homes of Columbus and Aberdeen,” and “Voices from the Prairie: Stories of Life on the Prairie.” Select chapters from all of Mayfield’s books have been published in The Packet.
The book talk will be held in the Meeting Room of the Chebie G. Bateman building of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library at 314 Seventh St. N. Mayfield will also be available to sign copies of his various books.
The event is free and open to the public.
Mayfield’s next book, “The History of the Sykes of Columbus and Aberdeen,” will be released in mid June. Five years in the making, it will explore the history of the Sykes family and include photographs from both the Columbus and Aberdeen areas.
To order a copy of any of Mayfield’s books, contact the Campbell Publishing Co. at 336-703-9426, or email [email protected].
For more information about this event, contact Mona K. Vance at 662-329-5304 or at [email protected].
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