Wanda Bullard: Small Town Prisoner

Summary

Podcast Title: The Moth
Host/Author: The Moth
Episode: Wanda Bullard: Small Town Prisoner
Release Date: November 15, 2010

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Introduction

In this captivating episode of The Moth, storyteller Wanda Bullard shares a poignant and humorous tale from her upbringing in the small town of Prentice County, Mississippi. Recorded in 2009 during a Moth event in Savannah, Georgia, under the theme of "coming home," Wanda recounts the unforgettable actions of her father, George Woolford, a beloved community figure whose unexpected decision left a lasting impression on their tight-knit town.

Background: A Life Rooted in Community

[03:51] Wanda begins by painting a vivid picture of her father’s early life. "He grew up with eight other siblings on a farm," she explains, highlighting the humble and hardworking beginnings that shaped George. Marrying at 20, he faced the tragedy of losing his first wife and raising two daughters on his own. Later, he remarried Wanda's mother, expanding his family and ultimately becoming the proud grandfather of Wanda, the youngest in the family.

George’s professional life was equally rooted in community service. Primarily a bird dog, he supplemented his income with odd jobs like house painting. However, his transition into politics marked a significant shift. Persuaded by friends and neighbors, George ran for the board of aldermen—a role akin to city council—and was elected by a landslide, reflecting his popularity and the town’s trust in him.

George Woolford: The Engaged Fire Commissioner

Appointed as the fire commissioner, George diverged from his predecessors by immersing himself fully in the role. "He liked to get involved," Wanda notes, illustrating his proactive nature. One of his first acts was to personally manage the fire department’s telephone line, ensuring he was immediately aware of any emergencies. This dedication led him to attend fires both day and night, not out of expertise in firefighting, but to support and encourage the young men serving alongside him.

As George aged, he ceded night driving responsibilities to Wanda, who dutifully took on the task of chauffeuring him during late-night emergencies. Despite several terms in office, George eventually decided to step back from his official duties, though he remained connected to the camaraderie he cherished within the fire and police departments.

The Unforeseen Act of Kindness

The crux of Wanda’s story revolves around an extraordinary incident that tested George’s integrity and compassion. While assisting at the police department, George encountered a young man incarcerated for drunk and disorderly conduct. Intrigued by the man's demeanor, George struck up a conversation, aiming to understand his situation.

[06:15] “He seemed like a nice young man,” Wanda recounts, emphasizing her father’s innate ability to see the good in others. The young man revealed that he owed a $200 fine and was stranded without means to repay it. Seizing the opportunity to help, George concocted a plan: he offered the young man a chance to borrow his father’s keys, allowing him access to his impounded blue Chevrolet.

Wanda explains how George, almost against his own authority, released the prisoner by providing him with the keys. “He always trusted his instincts about people,” she shares, underscoring George’s reliance on intuition over protocol.

Consequences and Community Response

George’s decision triggered a wave of confusion and concern among his colleagues. Police officers, unaccustomed to such leniency, questioned his actions. “Mr. George, why did you do that?” one officer demanded, puzzled by the disappearance of the prisoner.

Undeterred, George remained steadfast in his belief that the young man would honor his word and return the fine. “I know that boy’s coming back,” George confidently stated, leaving the officers speechless and scrambling to cover the breach in protocol.

As the hours passed without the young man’s return, skepticism grew. The police grappled with how to address the situation without tarnishing George’s esteemed reputation. Some suggested tearing up the paperwork to reverse the arrest, but George refused, maintaining his stance on trust and redemption.

The Return of the Young Man

[13:29] Just as doubts began to overshadow George’s actions, the young man made an unexpected return. Clean-cut and respectful, he approached the front desk to pay his fine. “Excuse me, I’d like to pay my fine,” he announced, catching everyone’s attention.

As Wanda narrates, the realization dawned on the police officers that George’s gamble had paid off. The young man handed over the $200, issuing a heartfelt apology for his tardiness. “Oh, by the way, Mr. Bullard, I’m sorry I was late getting back, but I had to wait in line at the barbershop,” he remarked, hinting at a return to normalcy and perhaps a newfound respect for George’s unconventional methods.

Reflections: Lessons from a Small Town

Wanda concludes her story by reflecting on the profound impact of her father’s actions. George’s willingness to bend the rules for the sake of believing in someone’s potential exemplifies the essence of community and trust. His actions fostered a sense of safety and belonging, reinforcing the fabric that holds small towns together.

Notable Quotes

• [03:51] "He grew up with eight other siblings on a farm."
• [06:15] “He seemed like a nice young man.”
• [10:45] “I turned him loose.”
• [13:29] “I know that boy’s coming back.”

Conclusion

Wanda Bullard’s Small Town Prisoner is more than just a story about an unexpected act of kindness; it’s a reflection on the power of trust, community, and the impact one individual can have on an entire town. Through her father’s unwavering belief in second chances, Wanda illustrates how empathy and integrity can bridge gaps and foster lasting relationships, even in the most unexpected circumstances.

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For More Information:
Visit themoth.org to explore more stories, live events, and opportunities to share your own experiences on The Moth stage.

Transcript

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[Dan Kennedy]

Use the code Moth welcome to the Moth Podcast. I'm Dan Kennedy. The Moth features true stories told live without notes and all stories on the podcast are taken from our ongoing storytelling series in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Detroit, and from our tour shows across the country. Visit them off.org this is Jay Allison.

[Jay Allison]

Up on Cape Cod. I'm going to come right back after the story to talk about how you can pitch your story to the Moth Radio Hour. So so if that's interesting to you, keep listening after the applause.

[Dan Kennedy]

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com, the Internet's leading provider of audiobooks, with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature and featuring audio versions of many New York Times bestsellers. One audiobook to consider is Squirrel Seeks A Modest Bestiary by David Sedaris. Always hilarious and oftentimes touching, Sedaris once again delivers a collection of essays that will have you laughing out loud as he takes his unique and offbeat observations to the animal world. That's Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris, available from Audible. To try Audible free today and get a free audiobook of your choice, go to audible.com themoth that's audible.com the moth this story by Wanda Bullard was recorded in 2009 when the Moth did a show in Savannah, Georgia, the town where the Moth actually began. And fittingly enough, the theme of that night was coming home.

[Wanda Bullard]

Let me tell you a story about my dad. His name is George Woolford. He was born in a rural area right up in the northeast corner of Mississippi that most folks call Prentice county and they just call Paradise. He grew up with eight other siblings on a farm. He married when he was 20, had two daughters and his wife died. So he raised those two daughters and after they had grown, he married my mother, who was about 20 years younger, and they had another family. So I'm the last of the last. My dad was about 50 years old when I was born, but I was very fortunate to be raised by him. He raised and trained bird dogs all of his life, and that's how he made a living. If the bird dog business got a little slow, he'd paint a house or two, things like that. But after he got up in his 60s, way in his 60s, someone convinced him to get into politics and he ran for board of alderman, which is like the city city council, and he was elected by a landslide. Everybody loved him, and his assignment was the fire commissioner. Now, all the previous fire commissioners did would go to meetings and make political decisions, but my father liked to get involved. So he went to the telephone company and said, can't y'all hook my telephone up with one at the fire department? So they did. And every time the fire department telephone rang, our phone rang one long continuous rain until you picked it up and then you didn't talk. You just listened to see where the fire was so he could go. And he went to all the fires, day or night. He knew absolutely nothing about firefighting, but he knew how to encourage young men. So he encouraged him. Well, I got involved because my father had almost stopped driving at night because of his age. And as a teenager I had a driver's license, so I had to keep jeans and tennis shoes right there. And I had to drive him at all the 3 o'clock in the morning fires. Well, after a few terms as board of aldermen, several people, myself included, convinced him not to do that anymore. But we found out that he missed the camaraderie he had formed with all the firemen. And because the firemen and the police department were in the same building, he missed all the policemen too. So he would just go down there to visit every now and then. And this being a small town, they worked out something which might not have been real legal, but they taught him how to operate the police radio. And anytime anybody wanted a day off or was sick, he'd go in and work an eight hour shift. Somehow they managed to pay one half. But one day he got to his job down at the police department, if you could call it a job. And he discovered to his amazement, they had a prisoner. I did say it was a small town, it was most unusual. And all during the morning he really didn't have much to do. He'd wander back and talk to this young man and when he went out for lunch, he brought a couple of hamburgers back for him. Well, about 1 or 2 o'clock he had made a decision about this young man and he always trusted his instincts about people. He had decided that he was, in spite of being long haired, way down here, which my father hated, that he was a dishonor young man. So he'd see if he could help him. And he started to inquire of him, why are you still here? You seem like such a nice young man. Won't anybody come get you out of jail? Why are you here? And the young man told him, he said, well, I had a little too much to drink last night and they arrested me for drunk and disorderly and impounded my car and here I am. My dad said, well, what would it take to get you out? He said, well, I have to pay a $200 fine. My father said, well, why can't some of your family pay you $200 fine? He said, well, I think if I could talk to my father face to face, I might could get the $200 from him. But I don't know how he's gonna react to a collect call from the Boonville jail. Well, my dad mulls this over a little while. He said, well, do you think if I turned you loose, you could go find your father and get $200 and come back? I would remind you that my father's only duties were operating the radio that talked back and forth. So the young man said, well, see, I'm from Corinth, Mississippi. Now, that's a town about 20 miles north of London. And he said, you know, they impounded my car. I think I could get the money from my dad, but I got no way to get up there. It's 20 miles. My dad said, well, what did you say they did with your car? He said, they impounded. He said, well, is it a blue Chevrolet? And Ed said, yes, or niece. He said, always parked out in the parking lot. I could probably find the keys. So he scrounges around in desk, all the drawers, and he finds the keys. So he not only releases a prisoner over which he has no authority, he gives him a getaway car. Well, as the kid leaves, my father says to him, that son, I believe if I could borrow $200 from my daddy, I'd borrow another $5 to give me a dirt haircut. Now that was his own advice. Young man was quite happy to be gone. And about 4:00, the police officer started coming back to change shifts. And as they came in, they went to check back from the prison. And they discovered to their dismay they didn't have one. And they said, Mr. George, what happened to the prisoner? My daddy was busy doing his little closing up. He got off at five doing his little paperwork. He said, oh, yeah, I turned him loose. And the police officer nearest him said, you did what? I turned him loose. Mr. George, why did you do that? He said, well, he just seemed like a nice young man and he'll be back in a little while with his $200. And the police officer was kind of taken aback. He'd known my father all his life, and my father's like a grandfather to most of those guys. He said, okay, well, we'll take care of this. So he goes back over to other policemen. They're trying to figure out how they're going to get out of this without my father losing his unofficial job. And one of them says, well, we'll remind the chief that George Muller helped get him elected. But one of them said, oh, I got a better idea. Let's just tear up the paperwork and we'll just pretend we never arrested that boy. Well, my father wouldn't hear of it. He said, oh, no, I know that boy's coming back. I know he is. And the police officer said, how can you be so sure? You don't even know him. And my father's answer was simple. He told me that he would. Well, they didn't know what to say to that, so they just didn't say anything. They waited around and 4:30 came 5:00. Of course, no young man turned. And about 5:15, they're trying to get my dad to go home because he shifted at 5. He's kind of stubborn. He said, no, I'm gonna wait around till he comes back. One of them kind of observed, might be kind of long wait. But no, my dad didn't get the story. He didn't get the story. So he tells him, I'm just hanging around with her. I'll decide what, you know, what are we gonna do? And all of a sudden, door opens and a young man walks in, clean cut, shaven, short hair, walks up to the counter. And they don't even acknowledge him because they're still mulling over what they gonna do to save my dad. And finally the young man said, excuse me, I'd like to pay my fine. And that kind of got their attention. They still didn't recognize him. And one of them walked us down, said, what fine is that you're talking? He said, well, you guys arrested me last night, locked me up. I owe $200 and I'm here to pay it. Started counting out $20 bills. When he got to 200, policeman still hadn't been able to say a word. Got out to receipt, but wrote him out of receipt. He thanked him. Boy started the door when he got to the door and opened it to go out. He turned around and almost as if he knew what the situation were like there in that office with my dad, said, oh, by the way, Mr. Bullard, I'm sorry I was late getting back, but I had to wait in line at the barbershop.

[Dan Kennedy]

Wanda Bullard is a veteran teacher who works with emotionally disordered students in Georgia. Most Sunday afternoons, she hosts a cookout for anybody that shows up. And the stories actually shared on her porch were the stories that inspired our founder, George George Dawes Green. To start them off. This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com, the Internet's leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature, including fiction, non fiction and periodicals. To try Audible Free today and get a free audiobook of your choice, go to audible.com themoth I'm Jay Allison, back.

[Jay Allison]

As part promised to tell you that we're looking for you to pitch us your stories for the Moth Radio Hour. The new season has lots of your pitches embedded right in the radio show and they're great. We're gonna have a vote and invite the winner to tell a story on stage. You can find out all about [e-mail] and you can find out when your public radio station is airing the show by asking them. The radio series is produced by the Moth and me, Jay Allison at Atlantic Public Media up here on Cape Cod and distributed by the public radio exchange.

[Dan Kennedy]

Prx.Org the mothball is Tuesday, November 16th and we still have tickets available and tables available to this gala event. Find out more by visiting themoth.org and if you can't make it to the Mothball here in New York City, you can enjoy our online auction where you can bid to see Sip Tea with Neil Gaiman appear in the onion or win two round trip tickets on JetBlue Airways and much more. Actually, this auction Online ends at 11:59pm on November 18, so that means it goes for a couple days after our event. For more information visit themoth.org ball and here's the thing. If you are at the mothball November 16, you can bid at this that auction in the room on a little service that I'm offering thanks to the folks at the Moth office. They came up with the idea for me to be an online dating optimization service for you and that's all going to be explained, but it basically involves me closing the deal for you in any online dating venture you might have. Check that out. That's going to be November 16th right here in New York at the Mothball.

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Our podcast host Dan Kennedy is the.

[Wanda Bullard]

Author of the book Rock An Office Power Ballad.

[TurboTax Sponsor]

Learn [e-mail] thanks to all of you.

[Dan Kennedy]

For listening and we hope you have a story worthy week. Podcast Audio production by Paul Ruest at the Argo Studios in New York Podcast hosting by PRX Public Radio Exchange helping make public radio more [e-mail].