Pictures taken in the 1940s return to Rutherford County

Photos taken in Harris in the late 1940s have made their way back to Rutherford County, thanks to a man whose mother had held onto them fondly.

David Dudley, whose mother, Martha Franklin Dudley, taught for two years at Harris School from 1947 to 1949, came into possession of the photos about 10 years ago, along with a letter chronicling her life from high school until she married in 1953. David had not looked at the photos for several years until just days following Martha's death in January.

"Harris was one thing I heard most of my life," David said. "She mentioned it quite often and with high regard."

Born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1919, Martha Franklin Dudley graduated from Baylor University in 1942. While doing mission work in 1947, she met a woman who placed those who taught Bible into public schools in North Carolina. From the applications she sent out, Martha received one response - from Harris School. From 1947 to 1949 Martha taught Bible classes at Harris and a few other local schools.

"She left Mission, Texas, and traveled to Harris, North Carolina, based only on a letter and a photograph," David said.

She returned to Mission due to her father's poor health. The brief period of time in her life, though, left an impression. David and his family visited Harris in 1967 when David was 8 years old. During that visit David met Joan Cole, his mother's friend, and Otto and Louise Moore, who were close with Martha during her time in Harris. The Moore also visited the Dudley family in Texas.

Because the pictures meant so much to Martha, David reached out to local media, sending a letter to the editor with a list of names, and inviting those who might be related to get in touch with him. He also reached out to the Remember Cliffside website.

Phillip White, who helps to maintain remembercliffside.com and is a retired principal of Cliffside Elementary, responded to David. Through the exchange of emails Phillip learned that David lived in Tennessee; Phillip is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and frequently returns there.

"We hit it off because I knew the area," Phillip said.

David emailed a list of names from the backs of photos, and while looking over it Phillip saw names of people with connections to Cliffside, including Otto and Louise Moore.

"I told him the website is a good repository for pictures," Phillip said.

David sent Phillip the box of photos, and being a history buff, Phillip became excited at all they contained.

"You always hear one man's trash is another's treasure," Phillip said. "While he didn't know the subjects of the photos, David recognized the pictures meant something to his mother, and unlike some who might have thrown them away, he wanted to share these photos with others."

Phillip pointed out houses and locations in the photos, continuing, "There are things in the background of pictures, that even if you don't know the subject, are of interest."

Harris and Cliffside were similar in the 1940s, Phillip said. Both were their own small communities rich with history and characters, like Worth Lewis. Lewis was principal at Harris during Martha's years there, and many of the photos contained him and his family.

"People don't print photos any more," Phillip said. "It's all about instant gratification now."

The photos will be scanned and placed on remembercliffside.com, Phillip said, and the originals placed into the hands of family members who want them.