Auburn had other doctors, but these
two stand out in my memory and both practiced in our home.
They were both good country doctors and that is high praise.
It is fine to see the country doctor being given his rightful
place in the thinking of present-day folks. Dr. Dafoe of
Canada, who has had marvelous success with the world-famous
five girls, has done much to magnify and glorify the country
doctor.
One
thing I remember, Dr. Holcomb gave big doses of bad medicine.
Dr. McDavitt was just as successful and more considerate. Dr.
Holcomb had two sons, Alfred, who never married, and was the
butt of good-natured fun by the boys, and John, who joined the
Army, deserted and left for parts unknown. He changed his
name, but last I heard of him he was in Texas, but I am not
sure that he is now living. “Cousin Sallie,” the mother, the
doctor and Alfred have been dead many years. One night during
a meeting at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Alfred was
present and sat on the back seat where there were some
mischievous boys. Alfred had eaten green persimmons and his
mouth was all puckered up. One of the boys whistled and Br.
McCormick reprimanded Alfred as he saw his lips in whistling
shape. This happened two or three times, when finally replied,
“Whistle, hell, I speck I’se pizened,” and it came near
breaking up the meeting.
Dr.
and Mrs. McDavitt, with their attractive and
considerable-sized family, even for Auburn, lived about a mile
from town on the Bowling Green pike, this place was afterwards
owned by Whitsett Hall. I recall, Will, Jim, Carl, Edgar and
Lattie, and I feel sure I have left out one or more. Jim was
about my age and we were often together. Their home was an
attractive place with a big woodland in front of the
residence. The place contained a good-sized farm and Dr.
McDavitt with the boys doing a good part of the work rated as
a farmer as well as a doctor. Auburn was indeed fortunate to
have these fine men and good doctors to visit their homes and
care for their sick.
Yours sincerely,
J. HENRY BURNETT
Macon, Georgia
