Johnny Crowell, Colonel Springs, and Local History

This is an article that I first had printed in The Waxhaw Exchange about two years ago.

No single date in the history of western Union County, except for the birth of Andrew Jackson, is so talked about as the date that Johnny Crowell, ace pilot and barnstormer, flew his biplane under the old Buster Boyd Bridge across Lake Wyle. Johnny was a pioneer in aviation and he was one of our own, and we loved him.
When I was growing up, Johnny lived and built his planes in an old shack at the corner of Beulah Church Road and Matthews Weddington Road. He use the large field between Providence Road and Matthews Weddington Road as his airfield. Many a Sunday afternoon, locals got into the back seat of the biplane and got the bejeebies scared out of them as Johnny performed his antics high over that field.
But, on that storied date, on a bet with a fellow pilot and WWI ace, Colonel Springs, the two of them flew their planes to the lake where, on the first dive, Johnny took his under the bridge. Colonel Springs made a few dives but pulled out of each without finishing the task. My source for this information is the Colonel's daughter, Ann Springs Close. Some popular variations on the legend have the Colonel going under the bridge and Johnny not doing so.
The history of Union County, especially the western part of the county, is closely tied to Fort Mill, South Carolina and Springs Mills. Many of our citizens worked there. Many a local man or woman found their life mate across the state line. My father was one of them.
About eighteen years ago, I was lucky enough to be a part of the restoration of a large and very historical house there, The White Homestead. Many of you will recognize it as the house with the historical marker that says that the last Confederate cabinet meeting was held there. It is 18,000 square feet of the history of a couple of intermarried families, the Whites and the Springs, their times, and their enterprises.
The history of our area is ill-preserved. But, in this house you will find references to Johnny Crowell, the rich history of the textile history in this area, and the history of the most colorful character of the twentieth century in these parts, Colonel Springs.
First, here is a short history of the development of this region as the center of the domestic textile industry.
Early in the twentieth century, local citizens in the towns here in the Piedmont would form groups with enough capital to start their own mill. The textile industry was home grown and popularly supported. Mill owners were most often well respected local citizens who saw themselves as responsible members of their communities.
Springs mills was started around the turn of the century , and because it was the venture of very well-to-do families, was able to expand rapidly. Leroy Springs headed the company for years from his home in Lancaster, South Carolina. When he died in the early 30's, his son, a good timing young man took over the company and moved the offices to Fort Mill.
Colonel Springs, as he was known, was a colorful man who loved the people of Fort Mill. He had earlier set up residence in the old White Homestead and added significantly to its square footage, including a nataborium, so exclusive that spell check does not recognize it. It is a combination green house and swimming pool.
The history of the White family on display in the house dates to Civil War times. Hanging in a stairwell is one of the original copies of South Carolina's Articles of Secession. On a downstairs wall are pardons for family members who fought with the Confederacy. The library has records of family business dealings dating back to that era.
Those drawn to furniture will have a field day with the various pieces that were bought for the new house around 1830 from Europe through New Orleans. People who are interested in written history will find a library with many signed copies of work by the Colonel's contemporaries. The early years of aviation are displayed in artifacts and pictures.
Colonel Springs was a close friend of James Montgomery Flagg, the American illustrator whose famous poster, "Uncle Sam Wants You" beckoned young men to join the Army during WWI. Some Flagg orignials hang in the house and his bawdy work is recognizable in the advertising campaigns that Colonel Springs commissioned.
Burlesque queen, Gypsy Rose Lee, made trips to Fort Mill to serve as the model for the bawdy advertising. Pictures and stories of her visits are on display. There are also pictures and stories of the Rolls Royce that Colonel Springs converted to a truck. He was sued by Rolls Royce, but he won. There is a picture of the first Corvette off the assembly line, a car that came straight to Fort Mill.
Tours of the house and grounds can be arranged by calling Ann Evans at 803-547-2200. There are no charges.