A Tribute to Ben Tillman
(Editor’s Note:The following is an excerpt from Museum Notes, a compilation of stories written and put together by J.S. “Chick” Wilson, first published June 25, 2009. Copies of Volumes 1 and 2 of Museum Notes are available for sale at the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce and by the Jasper County Historical Foundation at Thomas Persons Hall.)
Ben and I had talked before his untimely death and were putting together an article on the Tillman House Restaurant. Ben was a great friend and a good man and did so many things for so many people. When there was a death or sickness in a family, he would always show up with food. When churches ordered food for funeral families or special events he always included additional food at no extra charge. He made us all feel at ease when around him and he was always concerned about everyone in the community.
THE TILLMAN HOUSE
The house on West Washington Street that housed the Tillman House was built by the Penn family who owned The Monticello News. It was built in the early 1900s and occupied by the Fitzhugh Penn family. Later it was bought by the Ira Malone family and after their deaths David, a son, converted it into a restaurant in the late 1950s. He operated it for a number of years and later sold it to Mack Tillman.
There were several owners after Mack and it was purchased later by his son Ben Tillman. The Tillman House was a unique eating establishment that served the Monticello crowds from Blue Collar to the more sophisticated. Every small town had one.
Ben was always there behind the food counter with a big smile and usually a comment to each diner. He knew no strangers, but if strangers did come in he knew all about them before they left. You may even see a person or family you hadn’t seen for years. They all converged there when in town because they knew they would be well received and always welcomed.
Shared tables were very common and always friendly. Early coffee time was also very unique. Ben opened about 6 a.m. to start cooking and the early risers started coming in about 7 a.m. Most of the tables were full. Upon entering Connie was always there to welcome you.
On the table to the left were the “Green Bay Packer” group usually anchored by the McMichael family and Kenneth Pope. They were all “big” boys. Next table on the right was held down by Cecil Hooper, Jerry Crow and Bob Harden. Now the back table. This one was usually full and loud with Brack Pound, Larry Smith and Charles Brock usually leading the discussions which were wide and varied. You almost had to be an accepted member to even get to sit at this table.
Alicia was pouring tons of coffee and being flirted with constantly plus serving a breakfast or two. Several conversations were always carried on at the same time adding to the loud noise that prevailed. Hearing aids were of no use at all. Bob Whitmire, the new Baptist preacher loved to come to the Tillman House for breakfast and he said Ben always made sure he sat at the back table and was always referred to as “Preacher” to clean up the acts.
One table on the left was left for guests or strangers that all seem to come by just to listen to the chatter. Connie ran the register and kept the books with Alicia working tables. Ben, his sister “Sissy”and son “Bubba” did all of the cooking and making ready for the lunch crowd. Ben’s mother, Margie, helped out a lot too when needed.
There were many stories told about the Tillman House. I remember one; Ben yelled to Connie that he was running out of chicken and to stop the line forming at the doorway. Connie did so but she separated a husband and wife at the door and they really had to do some explaining to Connie to get in together. Another much told story also involved Connie.
A well dressed sophisticated lady from the Atlanta area came by for breakfast one day. Connie politely sat her at a table and later ambled in with her pad to take the breakfast order. After studying the menu she said, “I believe I’ll just have a bowl of fresh fruit and an order of Melba toast.”
Connie wrote it all down on her pad and went back to the kitchen. She soon reappeared at the lady’s table and said, “Ben says he ain’t got no fresh fruit and he don’t know what the hell Melba toast is.” End of breakfast.
The Tillman House crowd has been scattered like a covey of birds shot into but they always get together again somewhere. Ben and the Tillman House Staff will be surely missed as a part of the hometown color but we all hope it will be “reopened” soon under similar management, the town needs it.
