Generation to Generation: Brownstown resident follows in grandfather's footsteps

By Jessica Squires
First Posted: October 25, 2012 - 6:25 pm
Last Updated: October 25, 2012 - 10:59 pm

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Tribune photo by Aaron Piper/ Dale Hopper poses with his grandson Jordan Barnette Saturday at the Fort Vallonia Days, in Vallonia. Hopper said he feels it's important that the younger generation continues to see the important of the past.

Like father like son — the saying goes, but for some families, it’s like grandfather like grandson.

Sitting in a lean-to at Fort Vallonia, Jordan Barnette of Brownstown watched his grandfather stir ham and beans over a fire during last weekend’s Fort Vallonia Days festival.

“Ever since I was a child, I saw him throwing a tomahawk, and I always wanted to do it,” Barnette said.

Dale Hopper of Crane Hill started participating in the re-creations at Fort Vallonia in the 1970s when the fort was built. Hopper said he came out of his teepee dressed in buckskins and participated in tomahawk- and knife-throwing demonstrations. He said he is one of the only original participants left still taking part in the displays.

“It’s a lost art,” he said. “I would sure like to see some more young folks getting involved.”

A number of participants come together for Fort Vallonia Days, demonstrating woodworking, blacksmithing, quilting and tomahawk throwing.

Hopper said he is glad his grandson started sharing some of his interests and even purchased his own buckskins and long bow.

“He always dressed in buckskins, so I bought some to dress up in,” Barnette said.

In 2009, Barnette said he decided he wanted to get involved with the activities like his grandfather.

“I started throwing, and I got good at it,” he said.

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