Dear Editor:

I was born and raised in Gaffney, attended Gaffney High School, graduated in 1952, am very loyal to the Gaffney Indians, played several years myself, but this letter is not about football but The Gaffney Ledger and the people of Gaffney. It’s about The Gaffney Ledger for all the articles written and the coverage about Chris Fowlkes and the Gaffney people for their prayers, love and support to the family of this young man.

I am now living in Charlotte and have been for the past 45 years. I raised my family here and have been active in sports. I guess you could say I’m a Charlottean. I take The (Charlotte) Observer and read it thoroughly, always looking for Gaffney football scores. When the murders in Gaffney took place, The Observer plastered Gaffney all over with about 10 or 12 different articles. There were two small articles about Chris.

Even if my home is in Charlotte, my heart is in Gaffney. I started getting The Ledger after Christmas last year when my sister, who lives in Gaffney, started sending it to me as a Christmas present and I read it from cover to cover. I even read the advertisement from the old stores downtown — Harold’s, Blue Bird and many, many more.

Back in the early years — ’48, ’49, ’50 — not many boys had cars and most had to walk. I have walked the streets of Gaffney many times from the mill village, uptown main and down College Drive and around back to the old high school and home. I return to Gaffney about twice a year to visit and as I ride down the streets, it brings back old and good memories. Yes, I am from Gaffney and very proud of it.

You, as a newspaper, have done the town well. I can’t say enough about the people. I wish I had come down and been a part. I’m not a crying person but as I read each of the articles, tears came to my eyes. I’m proud to say, “that’s my hometown.” I’ve known the Sossamon family all my life, a tribute to this town.

The next time I come to Gaffney, I’m going to pick up some of that liver mush I keep reading about.

I can’t believe Henry Jolly is still in politics — an old friend who didn’t go by Henry at that time as I didn’t go by Gene, but a nickname, Tooney.

Thank you for the news and your loyalty to a great town. God bless Gaffney.

Gene Whelchel