Word: godbold
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Most of Eastland's time at Doddsville, however, is devoted to business. Though he relies heavily on his general manager, spry, 76-year-old William Godbold, Eastland is keenly aware that casual absentee ownership can never make a success of what is less of a plantation than an agricultural factory. Last year the Eastland plantation had about 1,900 acres in cotton, the remainder in corn, soybeans, oats, barley and pasturage. Under Eastland's close supervision, the land is cultivated according to the most scientific information available. Each spring, tractor-pulled applicators, straddling four rows at a time...
...their families-about 400 people-is directly dependent on Eastland. By Delta standards, he does well by them. Showpiece of the Eastland plantation is Preston Jones, Negro manager of a 360-acre "unit," who last year netted $7,800 after living expenses. Jones is admittedly exceptional, but General Manager Godbold estimates that the 84 sharecroppers probably averaged $800 as their share of the plantation profits last year. Asks Godbold: "How many auto or aircraft workers wound up 1955 by paying all their living expenses and still having $800 left over...