More on Mathis Dairy, Rosebud, and Smiling Jack

I have written about Mathis Dairy before, but wanted to share some additional history I have come across over the last few years including the introduction of Smiling Jack. I don’t remember Smiling Jack from my childhood visit to the dairy, but Past Tense readers brought him to my attention.

In Vivian Price’s book “Historic DeKalb County, An Illustrated History,” she explains the story of how milking Rosebud became so popular at the dairy and where the name Rosebud came from. It began in the 1950s with Boy Scouts visiting the dairy to earn one of their merit badges.

Mathis Dairy herdsman J. J. Wade let a Scout milk a docile Guernsey cow. Word spread and soon other children wanted to do the same, but at this point the cow was unnamed. Pat Mathis received the call from a reporter wanting to know the cow’s name. Pat’s University of Georgia roommate was nicknamed Rosebud, which led to the beginning of Rosebud the cow at Mathis Dairy.

A 1970s visit to Mathis Dairy included a tour of milking machines, the animal farm, milk truck hospital and other parts of the dairy. The visit also included a covered wagon ride to a picnic area where chocolate milk awaited the children. Some Past Tense readers also recall Smiling Jack, the Mathis Dairy bull.

In 1977, a write-up in the Atlanta newspaper names a few places children can go to learn more about food and beverages. The suggestions are Atlanta Coca-Cola Bottling Company on Spring Street, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts on Ponce de Leon, Sunbeam Bakery on Bailey Street and Mathis Dairy on Rainbow Drive in Decatur. (Atlanta Constitution, Aug. 6, 1977, “Entertainment, Education, and Eating”)

Children of Heritage School in Newnan, Georgia visited Mathis Dairy in 1978. They saw cows being bathed and the milking machines in action. They also saw calves in the “maternity ward” of the dairy. Of course, they milked Rosebud (if they wanted) and saw Smiling Jack, reported as weighing 3,500 pounds. (Newnan-Times Herald, March 2, 1978, “Heritage School Activities, Trip to Dairy”)

The children of Heritage School also saw an area with sheep, goats and chickens. Their tour guide explained how these animals helped the cows feel content.

While trying to locate newspaper articles about dairy bull Smiling Jack, I became aware of other famous Smiling Jacks. There was an aviation themed comic strip called Smilin’ Jack, running for 40 years starting in 1933 and created by Zack Mosley. Smilin’ Jack appeared in newspapers across the country, including the Atlanta Constitution. (Atlanta Constitution, March 4, 1940, “Smilin’ Jack of the funnies, pays smiling visit to Atlanta”)

Also, racehorse Smiling Jack made headlines in the newspapers of the 1970s. (Atlanta Journal, June 8, 1972, “Don’t Forget Smiling Jack”)