Jamie Jones
jamiejones@daltoncitizen.com
DALTON —
When David Crump began working in the Manly Jail Works plant on July 21, 1960, he didn’t expect to stay 50-plus years.
“It just happened,” said Crump, a Whitfield County native and 1957 graduate of North Whitfield High School. “It’s not something that everybody does. It’s almost unheard of now. Most people stay four or five years or less and move on.”
The company recently recognized Crump for his years of service with a surprise luncheon, a certificate of appreciation, a watch and a copy of his first paycheck. Hand-written, drawn on First National Bank and dated Sept. 21, 1960, the check was for 44 hours at $1.30 an hour.
The grand total? $49.31.
After high school, Crump attended Southern Tech in Chamblee then came home to find work. A friend was in the contracting business, so Crump helped build houses in the area.
“When that job was over, I went to the employment service office and they sent me over to Manly,” Crump said.
Company President Judson Manly Jr. interviewed Crump on a Wednesday and was impressed with the youngster. He asked Crump when he could start work. Ready to begin his career, Crump glanced at his watch and said he could come in the next day.
He’s been there ever since.
Crump started where many new employees do — in the plant. There, he racked steel, painted and did “whatever needed to be done.” His first big project, drafting a jail design, came about six months in. He’s worked in every aspect of the company since and is now a sales engineer.
Over the half century at Manly Steel, Crump has seen the company evolve from mainly a jail maker to being involved in numerous business. The company no longer makes jails. The name changed from Manly Jail Works to Manly Steel to reflect the change and also the diversity of projects. One of the biggest adjustments for Crump came in 1972 when the company moved from its small location on Glenwood Avenue to a more expansive headquarters on South Hamilton Street near Abutment Road.
“It was a big change,” Crump said. “Up there, we were cramped and crowded together. It was a nightmare sometimes getting stuff in and out.”
Manly called Crump’s dedication to the company “unreal.”
“David started working for us, but he quickly began to work with us,” Manly said.
Through the years, 11 employees have hit the 50-year mark with Manly Steel: Lacewell Berry, Dee Ellis, Tom Ellis, Clara Evans and Crump. Six members of the Manly clan have reached 50. The record holder is his grandfather, Frank Manly, at 61 years and two months.
“Nobody ever wants to retire,” Manly said. “Our work is not boring. We’re always making something different. Part of it is, I think, we’re all low key. Having worked out there in the plants ourselves, we get an appreciation of what it’s like. Being on a first name basis — we don’t ‘Mr.’ anybody — also helps.”
Crump, who turned 71 today, has no plans to retire anytime soon.
He has been married to wife Cecille for 43 years. They have two grown children, Greg and Shannon Cochran, and three grandchildren.
