A special thanks to
Charles Harris who sent this photo in for help in identifying the
object. He originally sent it to Henry County Libraries and it stumped
their reference librarians. It was posted on their Facebook page and had
several guesses but no definitive answer. Here are the facts according
to Kathy Pillatzki, Assistant Director of the Henry County Library
System.
“It was found
Northeast of Atlanta by a Civil War historian. It is round, about 2
inches in diameter and about 1/3 inch thick. It is made of stamped
metal. The words at the top say, “SPRINGFIELD LODGE #14.” The bottom
says, “FLIPPEN, GA.” The middle says “P. B. & S. OF LIGHT.” There are
two holes drilled through it, and no markings on the back. The person
who found it believes it may be a decorative rosette from a horse
bridle.”
Gene Morris, County
Historian, gave us his best guess. “There was a lodge of some sort
behind Springfield Baptist Church. The church is still an active African
American congregation at the corner of Hwy. 155 and Campground Road. The
old church, school and lodge buildings were destroyed by the Christmas
Eve tornado in 1964 and rebuilt. This may be a membership button or
token from that lodge. That's my best guess.”
If anyone has
any other information on this mystery object, please call the Times at
770-957-6314.
