Neighbors Helping Neighbors (1938)
Poverty was a way of life for many people in Liberty County by the beginning of 1938. They barely managed to survive as the economic depression continued. A few families became destitute and no longer able to care for themselves. Pride and a hope that things would get better sustained them in their misery until even those foundations crumbled.
A man and his wife and their five children were left homeless in the autumn of 1937 when the farm they share-cropped was sold for taxes. They camped out and the man searched in vain for employment. He sold his mule and wagon for a few dollars. When it was gone they very nearly starved to death during the bitter winter of 1937-1938.
T.W. Welborn, a Hinesville physician, heard about the family, investigated, and was appalled at what he found. All members of the family were suffering from malnutrition, exposure, and illness. They desperately needed a house to live in, food, and medical attention. He gave them food and medicine and took steps to find them a dwelling.
Welborn appeared before the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce in March 1938, and told members of the organization about the destitute family. D.S. Owen was president of the organization. He immediately appointed a committee to find food and shelter for the family.
Mary Rogers, director of the county welfare office, took food and clothing to the family. John McCallar donated land on which a home for the family could be built. Joseph B. Fraser Jr., B.T. Slade, and J.H. Salter donated lumber to build the house. The county commissioners donated a truck and labor to haul the lumber to the property donated by McCallar. Volunteer carpenters built the house.