Privileged Few

Even during Prohibition in the hidden private bar adjoining the office of Johnny Sellers' Cadillac dealership in Jackson, Mississippi, refreshments were pressed into eager hands of potential buyers. Behind the closed door of what Johnny Sellers called 'The Cadillac Club' Natchez madams and their pimps, Delta planters, state politicians like Governor Theodore Bilbo, local attorneys, and wealthy businessmen enjoyed refreshments and local gossip while enjoying lunches that encouraged clients to open their wallets. Johnny Sellers' business strategy insured that guests of the Cadillac Club left 318 South State Street driving a new Cadillac. The history of Mississippi during the first half of the 20th century parallels the growth rings of a Loblolly Pine. Years of abundant sun and rain were recorded with large tree rings duplicated in a similar positive pattern found in successful business in Mississippi. During times of low cotton prices or lack of good weather challenged the citizens of the state yet Johnny Sellers managed to operate a successful business despite the challenges. The industrial advancements that drove the United States to become a world leader were akin to growth rings in Mississippi. Progress was intermittent due to continued dependence upon 'Old South' habits of an agricultural economy. Today it is hard to comprehend the dominance of cotton, but before the Great Depression cotton was the topic of every conversation whether at a street corner in Yazoo City or at the birth or death of a leading planter or of a lowly field hand.

About the Author :
John grew up in the southern coalfields of West Virginia, where it was a rare sight to spot a Cadillac on a winding mountain road. The mountain culture nurtured in him a closeness of family. John's mother was the backbone of his elementary and secondary education. He earned a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with majors in history, political science, and sociology from West Virginia State College. While working at a grocery store at Racine, West Virginia, John met the woman who changed this country boy's main focus from making sure that every dollar that passed through Racine traveled at least once through his hands. When he first saw her come into the store, he mentioned to one of the carry out boys, "That is someone I would like to marry." He laughed and said that she was too skinny. In 1977 they were married in a double ceremony, along with Marian's younger sister at St. Francis Xavier's in Metairie, Louisiana, and later made their home in Slidell, Louisiana. John worked with his father-in-law at his automotive, industrial, electoral wholesale company, John M. Walton Inc., in New Orleans, Louisiana. The job offered him an outstanding opportunity to travel throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and southern Alabama. He listened to many stories. Much of southern culture depends on storytelling, and it was like listening to his father and grandfather. It was truly a crucial influence in his development as a storyteller. After the Walton family's business closed, John decided I wanted to become a social studies teacher-a career he had always wanted to pursue. He attended Southeastern Louisiana University at Hammond, Louisiana, working towards a master's degree in special education. John is currently a SPED teacher in a small numbers classroom. All of his lifetime accomplishments pale in comparison to the success of my family. Marian and John have been married for 37 years and have five children: oldest, Trece Jordan-Larsen, is married to Brian with five children, Sarah, Laura, Julia, Gage, and Cayleigh and one granddaughter, Violet; second child, John Walton Jordan, is married to Paige White with one daughter, Genevieve; third and fourth children, Lee Walton Jordan and David Walton Jordan, live in New Orleans; fifth child, Logan Walton Jordan, is married to Alyssa Markham and has a son, Logan Jr. John attribute his success to support and encouragement from Marian and their family.