The King Tea Kettle: Should We Honor or Destroy It?

In 1905, the Lizzie Loman Stove Works of Sheffield was for sale. Two brothers who worked as salesmen for King Hardware of Atlanta saw the potential in the business and persuaded the company to purchase the foundry. By 1917, William H. and Charles Martin had secured what was then known as King Stove and Range for themselves. They subsequently made a wise business move to add a line of cast iron cookware to the foundry's line.

Many of the factory's employees were African-American, and wages were poor even by the standards of the day. For whatever reason, William Martin's wife was concerned enough about her husband's employees that she packed Christmas baskets each year and delivered them to workers' families. Thus began a tradition that Martin Industries continued until its demise 80 years later.

However, it's the apocryphal story of the King Stove tea kettle that has always been the most intriguing. One by one, King Stove added pieces to its popular line of cast iron cookware. Looks may not have been of major concern to those who designed the holloware, but utility was.

The story has often been retold that the designer of the King tea kettle (similar to one pictured above) took particular care with the piece since he knew it would be a staple in most homes. Looking at the not quite finished mold, he announced to those assisting him that it was almost ready - it lacked only the spout opening, and that could be neither too large nor too small.

An older black employee then stepped forward and used his thumb to perforate the spout, and the designer declared it perfect. Was this particualar finishing touch what made the King Stove tea kettle so popular? 

With many today calling for the destruction of what has been made with underpaid or even free African-American labor, should we melt down all the remaining collectible King kettles? Or should we cherish them even more because they illustrate the value of one exploited laborer who never received any recognition for his contribution?

King Stove discontinued its line of cast iron cookware in 1953. In 1974, the company combined with its sister foundry Martin Stove in Florence to form Martin Industries. While never wildly successful, the Florence based firm catered to a mid-priced niche for decades until competion finally proved too much. Martin Industries closed its doors for the last time in 2003, leaving almost seven million dollars in debt. The location of the company's once modern headquarters on East Tennessee Street in Florence is now a vacant lot encircled by a graffiti covered retaining wall.

Bette F. Terry holds a degree in history from UAH.

The Near Death Experience of Hester Allison Fudge

Hester Allison was born in 1852. Her father served in the Civil War, as did her future husband William Henry Fudge. From The Sound of His Voice by Edward Fudge:

When the Civil War erupted, William Henry (Fudge) enlisted in the 35th Alabama Infantry, Confederate Company “G”. He was captured by General Sherman, held as a prisoner of war, and released on Independence Day of 1861. Still passionate for the Confederate cause, he soon re-enlisted and fought at the Battle of Shiloh. 

By 1922, Hettie had been a widow for 13 years. The Spanish Influenza epidemic had hit Athens hard in 1918, and now four years later the 70 year-old Hester Fudge had fallen victim to another strain of the disease. 

Hettie's physician had told her family that the situation was bleak. Her vital signs were growing weaker. The family prepared for the expected end.

It wasn't until 1975, that Dr. Raymond Moody shook the world of science with his stories of near death experiences, but in 1952, Hester Allison Fudge related hers to the Athens, Alabama, newspaper.

The centenarian told of traveling through a valley, of walking toward a light that proved to be a man holding a lantern. The man, whom Hettie said she didn't recognize, stood on the far side of a river that she presumed to be Jordan. He told Hettie that her time had not come, that she had to return.

Return Hettie did, living over 30 more years. She passed away just short of her 102nd birthday and is buried in the Athens, Alabama, city cemetery.

B.F. Terry holds a degree in history from UAH and is the great-great niece of Henry Fudge.