Elbert Lathan Roberts My grandpa Roberts died when I was seven years old. I remember him, but I can't say I ever knew him well. We lived about 2 hours away and visits in those days were few and far between. My cousins Roy and Jerry lived right next door to our grandpa and grandma Roberts, so obviously they have a much better knowledge of our grandparents than I do.

During a recent phone conversation, Roy shared this information with me. Most of what he told I had never heard. For starters, our grandpa had the nickname "Banty". Seems I may have heard that, but I had forgotten and would never have recalled it if Roy had not told me. Grandpa was not a tall man, but was stocky, muscular, strong as an ox, and earned the nickname because he wasn't afraid of anything and would not back down from anybody. Funny, I always thought Roberts men just had a stubborn streak. Now I know where it came from.

Another interesting bit of information Roy shared was that our grandpa was the local sheriff. I don't ever recall hearing that before. It struck me odd because my dad never mentioned it. Lathan's choice of a sidearm was a .44 pistol. After his death, the pistol was sold by another family member. Roy and I both regret letting that treasure get away. Either of us would have paid generously to have had the honor of owning it.

My dad had told me grandpa was a blacksmith after moving his family from Riceville to Niota. Roy told me about grandpa's blacksmith shop, where it was located, and this story. It seems there was a local colored man named "Shorty". Shorty used a mule to pull a wagon in his line of work. One day when Roy was helping grandpa in his shop, Shorty brought the mule by for new shoes. On this particular day, the mule had apparently gotten up on the wrong side of the stall and was in non-cooperative mood. Grandpa must have sensed the mule's attitude and told Shorty if that mule acted up he was going to take care of him. As grandpa was working with the mule and moved to the back, the mule raised his back leg leg like he was going to kick. Grandpa just turned to the mule and punched him. The mule just stood motionless a few seconds and then fell over. Grandpa had knocked the mule out cold with his fist! Well, old Shorty thought grandpa had killed his mule, but grandpa told him he'd be okay and wake up in a few minutes. And Roy? Well, he thought it might be wise to stay on grandpa's good side. I can't help but think of the movie Blazing Saddles and the scene where Mongo punched the horse and knocked it down.

According to Roy, grandpa also loved to eat watermelon. I vaguely remember the Forsythia bush at the corner of the house, but Roy recalls that was where grandpa put his watermelons to keep them cool. He would get the family together and cut the watermelon for everyone to enjoy. I missed all that. I'm envious.