04/07/2024
From 1950 to 1957, many parts of the country, including Georgia, experienced one of the worst droughts in decades. Large numbers of hand bored “open wells” went dry leaving many homes without water. Crops and livestock suffered and drinking water was scarce. People in rural areas resorted to buying “rationed” water in town.
As a result, in 1954, my Grandaddy, A.L. “Buddy” Walker purchased one of the first well drilling machines in this area. This machine was a Speed-Star 71 Percussion or “Hammer”style rig. For about 15 years, he drilled numerous deep wells in Dodge and surrounding counties.
For health reasons, Grandaddy quit drilling in the late 60’s. The last well dug was on the old Don Bell farm near Sand Grove Baptist Church in 1968. It was during the winter of that year, and the motor on the drill rig froze and busted, leaving it inoperable. So, he decided to leave it and come back to get it when he could.
After Grandaddy quit drilling, my Daddy, Larry Walker, continued to do pump repair and service work. I began helping him with pump work at a very young age. Over the years, Daddy and I talked about going to get Grandaddy’s well machine and bringing it back home. Time marched on and we never got around to it.
It was January of 2021, when Daddy received his cancer diagnosis. We knew his time was short. Daddy was determined to get all of his affairs in order, one of which was to get the rig back home, so I went to work.
The move date was December 27, 2021. The rig is very heavy and the mast was still in the vertical position just as Grandaddy left it almost 55 years ago. This was going to make the move difficult and somewhat dangerous. However, with help from several family members, we were able to safely lower the mast, load it on a flatbed, and haul it back home.
Daddy talked about fixing up the rig and using it for a “yard ornament”. If you know, you know!
Due to the rig’s age and condition, fixing it up would require a good bit of time and effort. Unfortunately, I was not able to get any of the restoration done. We lost Daddy on April 02, 2022.
When Daddy died, he passed the pump business on to me which has kept me very busy. I worked on the rig off and on - as time allowed. Fittingly, I was able to finish the “yard ornament” this past Tuesday, April 02, 2024, two years after daddy went home to be with the Lord.
Walker Well Drilling and Pump Service began with this very rig. This year will mark 70 years of the family business, and I’m humbled to continue working in their honor.
I would like thank all of those involved who helped me bring this project to fruition.
