I woke up and remember having to go into my room to get some clothes or something out of my chest of drawers. I was very quiet, as I could hear Rev snoring and didn't want to wake him. Well, I got whatever it was and I was headed toward the door when I heard in a commanding voice,"Don't move or you're dead!". I turned around to see Rev with a .38 revolver in his hand pointed in my general direction, but sort of moving around so as to cover a wider target area. I remember screaming something to the effect of, "No--don't shoot." Rev replied, "One wrong move and you're dead." Well, then I started talking a mile a minute..."Rev, it's me, it's Barry, don't shoot Rev...I was only getting something from my chest of drawers..." Finally, Rev said, "Is that you, Barry?" The incident was soon over, and I had escaped with me life. I guess, from his perspective, it must have been kind of weird to be alone, blind, on the road 3,000 miles from home and rooming with a bunch of lunatic young musicians many years his junior. But to this day, the picture of Reverend Gary Davis that sticks in my mind the most is early in the morning, half-awake and blind as a bat, with a .38 in his hand pointed in my general direction. It was one of the most frightening moments of my life - Barry Melton
FWIW this was a topic raised on the PWBG in August. Gene Rosenthal responded thus:
The only person that I know who would/might conceivably have the grave location viz Hacksaw is Steve Lavere, who I believe at the time of Hacksaw's Death was still living in Memphis (or environs) and if so, would most certainly know the details, given his absolute dedication at the time to ALL of the then still surviving first generation Blues musicians residing in Memphis and his personal relationship with Hacksaw.
If there's a need to "identify" by stone or bronze plaque Hacksaw's grave site, then I will personnally finance same, and would have years ago if I'd been informed of such need!
Thanks for the reply Bunker Hill. What's the PWBG?
According to the blog post that I found, the farm where Hacksaw is supposed to be buried at is only a few hours from where I live. If I can get some credible information about it, I'll probably make a trip over there.
Thanks for the reply Bunker Hill. What's the PWBG?
Sorry for the lazy use of acronym - Prewar Blues Group at Yahoo which commenced 10 February 1999. A postwar group, along similar lines, was also started at the same time. Their may well be a topic here devoted to the prewar group.
Oversee, Elijah Wald had put out a call elsewhere for people to write to support this recognition of Hacksaw Harney. Should people be writing to the county board in support of recognition for Hacksaw? What was so sensitive and delicate about all of this?
The cemetery is under the control of the local correction facility, and until things had moved along further it was felt wise not to give out the cemetery lot #. Those wishing to add their names can email them to bluesbeaver@hotmail.com as ie Marcia Weaver, Jackson, MS, US. Your support is warmly welcomed.
The Hinds County Board of Supervisors approved the resolution this morning to allow a grave marker for Richard "Hacksaw" Harney. Donations can be made to Steve Salter via www.KillerBlues.net
« Last Edit: December 05, 2011, 12:46:18 PM by oversee »
The Raymond, Mississippi cemetery where Richard "Hacksaw" Harney is laid, has a temporary stake on the spot where he is laid, with a #15 on it. A permanent marker is now being sought via donations.
I have been told that the #15 block has been removed due to the fact the lot number is 71, but it is known know at present whether the correct lot number has been placed. There are bushes that prevent a car being driven close to the area that would scratch paint work. There is to be an approach to see if these can be removed.
I am happy to announce that the donation drive for a grave marker for Richard "Hacksaw" Harney has been accomplished. Steve LaVere was asked to come up with the wording which he has, and has been of great help throughout the cause. Steve Salter says he still has many more grave markers in the works, and any donations for future stones would be fantastic.
Hopefully when the grave marker is in place, Blues fans can pay their respects as part of the continuing Mississippi Blues Trail.