“Ten Cent Bill”
During the Christmas celebrations in 1919, one year after the end of World War I, Bill Yopp distributed envelopes containing $3 each to the aging veterans in the Confederate Veteran’s Home in Atlanta, Georgia.
Bill had joined the 14th Georgia Regiment, Company H during the War Between the States. He was sympathetic to the men of Atlanta’s soldiers home who had been his compatriots in arms over fifty years earlier. During the war, Bill was nicknamed “Ten Cent Bill” because of the money he made shining shoes. He did this for the soldiers at a dime a shine and ended up with more money than most of his comrades. These men, also, cared for him when he was sick. Bill wanted to pay back the kindness that had been shown to him. He caught a train from Atlanta to Macon, where he was offered help from the editor of a local newspaper [The Macon Telegraph]. He then caught a train to Savannah to raise Christmas money for the old veterans. Bill met many generous people on his trip.
Just weeks before the Christmas of 1919, he had raised the money and Georgia’s Governor Hugh Dorsey helped him distribute the envelopes
The old Confederates were speechless. Tears were shed because of Bill Yopp’s good heart and kind deed. Many of these men had little or nothing. Bill was invited to come into the home’s Chapel and say a few words.
Bill Yopp was later presented a medal of appreciation for his support of the old soldiers and The Board of Trustees was so grateful that they voted to make him a resident of the home.
Bill died June 3, 1936. June 3rd was also the birthday of President Jefferson Davis. He was buried at Marietta, Georgia’s Confederate Cemetery with his compatriots.
May we all take inspiration from the generosity and kindness of this man by doing what we can to preserve the honor and legacy of the Confederate Soldier.
During this time that Christians celebrate the hope God brought into our world at the birth of Christ and Jews remember the miracle of Chanukah, we should renew our faith and strength in order to stand against tyranny and hatred. Let us move forward into the new year, determined to make a positive difference.
If you know of a project or need in your North Carolina community that the NC SCV Memorials Fund might be able to assist in, please get in touch with us. We are committed to restoring and preserving our Confederate memorials and history. Please consider a donation to help us accomplish even more!
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The source of information for this story came from the book, entitled: Bill Yopp “Ten Cent Bill” Narrative of a Slave! This book was written in 1969 by Charles W. Hampton.