Singleton pondered fate of America as it approached its 200th birthday

George Buster Singleton

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “What will we leave our children?” was originally published in the Oct. 16, 1975 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

As we approach the 200^th birthday of our great country, I look back over my short lifespan of 40-odd years and shudder in fright at our changes in attitude toward our fellow man.

I see man in the naked truth, with his fangs bared as some wild animal. I see hate and jealousy on every hand, where there should be friendship and compassion.

I see idols made of men who have rebelled against all that we should hold dear. I see world championships held by men who have denounced our Constitution, with all its hope and meaning. I see people who have cast aside all decency to align themselves with evil.

Great arenas

I see money flowing like water in hopes that our smallest whims may be satisfied. I see great arenas erected with vast amounts of materials and energy so we may try and conquer our atrocious appetites to be entertained.

I see respected citizens almost berserk because their favorite team didn’t measure up to their expectations. I see disappointed spectators because someone on the opposing team wasn’t hurt or injured.

And I see fathers scolding their sons because they were not mean enough when they appeared in the great arenas.

Many times in the past, we have compared ourselves and our country to the great Rome. We have paralleled its paths because of our great wealth and power. In many instances, probably without realizing it, we have followed in their footsteps in our desire for self-satisfaction.

Books, poems

As we charge and shove for a moment’s view of our modern-day gladiators, we pass from memory the many thousands of books and beautiful poems that mold in decay on the library shelves across our nation.

We have forgotten the beautiful classics that once stirred our hearts when played by our favorite orchestra. We have forgotten the warmth and beauty of a handwritten letter.

As we gain momentum in our mad dash across the pages of history, the question “What will we leave our children?” continues to darken the horizon.

Country’s ruins?

Will it be bricks and steel of the fallen arenas? Will our children look upon the ruins of a country that exhausted its energy and resources carelessly?

Or will we turn again to the basics that made us great? The day of decision is at hand. The dawning of that final day is slowly appearing in the east.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)