The Old Mulberry Tree
This tree was a favorite site in McDonough for years. In 1902, J.T. Oglesby wrote about it. He spoke of
the Civil War times as the tree stood in the yard of Rev. Manson who preached John R. Selfridge’s
funeral at the Shingleroof Campground on Sept. 21, 1863. Lt. Selfridge’s body had been returned home
by his brother David from the war. Mr. Oglesby spoke of the Freedman’s Bureau in McDonough. The
blacks became insolent and unruly. A dozen or so Yankee troops were stationed here. The Bureau
Agent was himself repulsive to our people. Two men came from Newton County planning to kill the
agent. So they waited under the Mulberry tree on a stormy night to kill the Agent. The Agent scented
danger and had several soldiers go home with him. Those young men left broken hearted, but the
Bureau remained in McDonough until the end of Reconstruction.
During the summer of 1869, Mr. Oglesby rested under the Mulberry tree with another youth of
McDonough. The youth told him he would grow up and be an important lawyer and make lots of money.
The youth went on to the University of Georgia and by the age of 22 was a prominent lawyer in
McDonough. He married one of the most beautiful women of Atlanta and moved there later to become
one of the best lawyers of the area south of the Mason-Dixon Line. His name was John L. Tye the son of
Dr. Tye who kept the Yankees from burning McDonough in November 1864.
1. Story from Henry County Newspaper 1902.
2. Story told by Mr. Oglesby in 1902.