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- © 2012 - 2014 "Confessions Of An Oral Historian" by Clifford B. Davids. All rights reserved.
Author Archives: cbdavids
“The Bold and Complicated Life of Lyman W. Keele, Jr., First Officer aboard Southern Airways Flight 242” – my interview with Delta Airlines Captain Ron Crysler (ret.)
CD: Ron, thank you for taking the time to speak with me today about Lyman W. Keele, Jr. and the events surrounding his death after the April 4, 1977 crash of Southern Airways Flight 242. You worked together at Southern, and … Continue reading
“The Rolling Stones: Exclusive Photographs taken during the recording of Brown Sugar, Wild Horses, and You Gotta Move” – by Clifford Davids
December of 1969 was a fitting end to a turbulent decade in American history: the Black Panthers were under attack in LA; The Jackson 5 made their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show; John Lennon was offered the lead role … Continue reading
“A Conversation with Jimmy Johnson about Annette Snell’s last recording session at the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio” – by Clifford Davids
Jimmy Johnson brags that back in the day, back when the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio was firing on all cylinders, he recorded a new album every week. Jimmy stayed in demand as both a music producer and sound engineer, but … Continue reading
“From Muscle Shoals, Alabama to New Hope, Georgia: The Long Odyssey of Jimmy Johnson” – by Clifford Davids
Jimmy Johnson has scaled Olympian musical heights. He was the guitar player for the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (aka “The Swampers”), as well as a member of two legendary hit factories: Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Al, and the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio … Continue reading
Capturing Paul John Knowles: Exclusive Photographs From The Arrest Of “The Casanova Killer” – by Clifford Davids
Paul John Knowles was a nasty piece of work. He met his violent end on December 18, 1974, sprawled across the backseat of a sheriff’s sedan after making his final bid for freedom. He failed spectacularly, taking three bullets to the chest, … Continue reading
“The Tragic Tale of Robert St. Martin, the Flight Controller Tracking Southern Airways Flight 242” – by Clifford B. Davids
Two months after the crash of Southern Airways Flight 242, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted a five day public hearing at the Sheraton-Biltmore Hotel in Atlanta, GA. The witnesses included crash survivors, internal investigators, engine specialists, air traffic … Continue reading
“Anatomy of a Crash Scene” – Action Photographs taken after the crash of Southern Airways Flight 242 – by Clifford B. Davids
The first responders were already gearing up for a fiery rescue in the moments before the co-pilot of Southern Airways Flight 242 lowered his landing gear and touched down dead center on a narrow strip of highway in New Hope, … Continue reading
“A Dry Tomb Burial for Southern Airways Flight 242” – by Clifford B. Davids
The exact spot where Southern 242’s wreckage is buried remains a mystery – but it can be found in a very public place. Early on into this oral history project I discovered that the remains were in fact quickly and … Continue reading
“Crash Site Confidential” – The NTSB Photographs Of Southern Airways Flight 242 – by Clifford B. Davids
The National Transportation Safety Board is iconic. Everyone recognizes their intrepid investigators, clad in navy blue shirts emblazoned with the yellow “NTSB” logo, swarming all over the smoldering wreckage of airplanes, ships, and trains. Established in 1967, the Board is … Continue reading
“How She Survived: Flight Attendant Catherine Cooper and the Lucky Few from Flight 242” – by Clifford B. Davids
The tragic crash of Southern Airways Flight 242 is a cruel story of destruction, mayhem, and death. The captain died from his injuries, and the first officer expired while he was being medivaced to Kennestone Hospital. Twenty passengers died from fatal … Continue reading
“The Dead-Stick Descent of Southern Airways Flight 242” – by Clifford B. Davids
The final moments aboard Southern Airways Flight 242 were chaotic yet controlled: the first officer was searching in vain for a suitable runway; the pilot was furiously trying to restart the disabled engines; and the two flight attendants were keeping the unnerved passengers calm and … Continue reading
“Annette Snell: Soul Diva aboard Southern Airways Flight 242” – by Clifford B. Davids
It was late in the morning on April 4, 1977, when a jubilant Annette Snell returned to the building at 3614 Jackson Highway in Sheffield, Alabama. She had spent the past week there recording her first album, and all of … Continue reading
“Shock and Awe: William V. Gudaitis and the Military Secrets aboard Southern Airways Flight 242” – by Clifford B. Davids
On April 4, 1977, William V. Gudaitis boarded the ill-fated Southern Airways Flight 242 in Huntsville, AL as he headed to a meeting at Raytheon Co. in Lexington, MA. He was a top scientist for the Redstone Arsenal, and his … Continue reading
“Hanging Mary and the Haunted Asheville Orphanage” – by Clifford B. Davids
Mary’s last hanging was languorous as she slowly swayed from the third floor balcony of the orphanage dormitory. The carefully tied noose was tied flawlessly, and it fit perfectly around her slender neck. She quietly peeked from underneath her linen … Continue reading
Posted in My Haunted American South
Tagged Hanging Mary, Shadows the Cat, The Haunted Orphanage, the rope ballet
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“The Alienist, his observant Daughter, and the Hidden Treasure of New Hope Church” – by Clifford B. Davids
New Hope, GA has seen its fair share of bounders, rounders, and hooligans seeking their fortune. Ever since the bloody Battle of New Hope Church in May of 1864, every conceivable type of grifter has drifted into town, searching for the gold … Continue reading
Posted in My Haunted American South
Tagged Ghost Sentry, New Hope GA, the Alienist, The Battle of New Hope Church
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“The Daughter of Southern Airways Flight 242’s First Officer Finally Speaks Out” – by Clifford B. Davids
Lyman W. Keele, Jr. was a natural born aviator. After graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1966, he joined the U. S. Navy and received his flight training at the Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida. He was assigned … Continue reading
“The Ghost Sentry and the Secret Tunnel Under New Hope Church” – by Clifford B. Davids
Some time ago I found myself visiting Dallas, GA, riding along with the sons of the Confederacy as they refreshed the flags on their ancestors’ graves. They were a dedicated group of guys, and our journey took us into the most remote corners … Continue reading
Posted in My Haunted American South, The Tragic Crash of Southern Airways Flight 242
Tagged Civil War Ghosts, Confederate battle flag, General William T. Sherman, Ghost Sentry, Hell Hole, lost confederate gold, New Hope GA, Secret Tunnel under New Hope Church, The Battle of New Hope Church
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CONFESSIONS OF AN ORAL HISTORIAN 