This Bo Peep Ain't No Fairy Tale!
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Once upon a time, in the land of good and evil, there lived a little man who became a legend in his own time. Now, everybody knows the children’s nursery rhyme, "Little Bo Peep." But, children, you ain’t heard nothing yet! "Little Bo Peep lost his sheep, and don’t know where to find them; leave them alone, and they will come home, wagging their tails behind them." Prepare now for a remarkable journey from rags to riches, with all the ups and downs one man could face in a lifetime. A very special journey filled with those events that alter and illuminate our lives, and, hey, you were there! It all began in the year 1929 when WOLFE W. SILVER opened a small lunch kitchen and billiard parlor. These were the very lean years in America, the year of the great stock market crash that knocked Wall Street and America for a loop. Depression, not only financial and spiritual but also mental pervaded throughout the country. This is a true story written by one who was present during the years from 1929 through 1963. In some instances the names of persons have been changed to protect their "innocence" and identity. Everything and everybody is factual and incredibly amazing, filled with humor and pathos, a story about Savannah, Georgia, U. S. A., and some of its inhabitants. Wolfe Silver was born in London, England on October 25, 1899. His father Max was of German-Jewish heritage; his Mother Jennie, English-Jewish heritage, settled in Savannah shortly thereafter. He attended a public school for the first three grades, then quit to go to work shining shoes, to help his family of three sons, two daughters, mother and father. They lived near the Savannah River at the intersection of Williamson Street and West Broad in a small three bedroom, one bath, stucco-brick, two story building. The origin of the family name "Silver" is in doubt, as he frequently stated, "It was the first name we saw on a sign, when we arrived in America." With just a little schooling, he could read and write German, at the same time, he was fluent in "Yiddish," which he learned from his Mother and Father. As a child, he never knew what it was like to have "new clothes," always the recipient of "hand-me-downs," or second hand garments. Shoes came from "used shoes on West Broad Street." "I cannot remember when I got my first new clothes or shoes; I believe I was twelve or thirteen." Raised in an Orthodox Jewish home environment, attended B. B. Jacob Synagogue, walked to services Saturday mornings with sisters Annie and Esther. A "kosher" kitchen was steadfastly adhered to and rules complied with by his Mother, the cement that kept the family close. In the early years Jews were kept together not only by internal cohesion but also by external exclusion. Proud of being a Jew, he wore it as a badge of courage, eventually insisting that his four children be raised as "good Jews." Housing was clean but crowded, leading to his fervent desire to "get out and earn money!" He possessed an absolute disdain and indeed hatred for laziness. From his background, it is easy to understand his drive and desire to improve himself and family. After all, he heard that, "In America the streets are paved with gold." His mission, to find those streets. One thing was certain, they weren’t named River or Williamson Streets.
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About the Book
Wolfe William Silver was born in London, England on October 25, 1899. His family moved to Savannah, Georgia and he became a legend in his own time. While "bootlegging" whiskey from New Orleans, Louisiana, he was stopped, arrested, and his three automobiles and load of whiskey were confiscated. He was released and when he returned home and told the story, a friend said, "Little Bo Peep Lost His Sheep." He opened a restaurant, bar, and "pool room" in the heart of Savannah and remained their for over 26 years, meeting the greats and near-greats, the famous and infamous . . . a few of which you will read about herein.
About the Author
Murray M. Silver was born in Savannah, Georgia on October 15, 1929, the second son of Wolfe W. Silver and Catherine M. Silver. He attended Charles Ellis Elementary School, Richard Arnold Junior High School, and Benedictine Military School, graduating in the class of 1947. He then graduated from Armstrong Junior College in 1949, and entered the University of Georgia Law School in September of that year. His studies were interrupted when he was called to active duty in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He graduated from Law School in 1953, and was admitted to the practice of law in October 1953, entering private practice with offices in the Savannah Bank and Trust Building overlooking Johnson Square. He was President of class of 1947 alumni; Chancellor of Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity at the University of Georgia; President of B’nai B’rith; Manager and Coach of a Little League Baseball team three years, winning the city championship twice. Named to "Who’s Who in American Law, 1978." Member of the Georgia Bar for 44 years; admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, Court of Appeals; and numerous District Courts. A prominent trial lawyer, handling over 3,000 cases in 42 states, the District of Columbia and Argentina, England, Bahamas, Jamaica and Antigua. His clients came from all walks of life, including William B. Shockley, Nobel Laureate; five "Godfathers;" and "The World’s Biggest Drug Trafficker."