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Saloon owner, Farish, dies at 77
Published Monday, January 26, 2009
NATCHEZ — One of the men responsible for resurrecting Natchez Under-the-Hill has died.
André Calvert Farish, 77, founder of Under-the-Hill Saloon, died in his sleep Saturday morning.
After a stint in the military in the 1950s in which he was wounded in action in the Korean War, Farish moved to the Frogmore area, where he oversaw the Achilles Plantation.
He was at one time the owner of Quality Volkswagen and directed South Central Air Transport from Natchez.
In 1974, Farish and his partner Paul O’Malley purchased and refurbished the historic property at 21 Silver St. in Natchez Under-the-Hill, and in 1975 Under-the-Hill Saloon opened.
“André was really a kind of a pioneer as far as getting Under-the-Hill developed was concerned,” former Natchez Mayor Tony Byrne said.
“Natchez had for so long turned its back to the river and let Under-the-Hill deteriorate, and André turned us back around and brought it back.”
When Farish took over the property, it was what Byrne described as “a kind of pool hall and grocery combination.”
But Farish had a vision for the Under-the-Hill area, his son, André Farish Jr. said.
“The visions were of Bourbon Street and Beale Street,” Farish Jr. said. “His goal was making it a good tourist attraction in Natchez.”
But part of what of attracted Farish to the Under-the-Hill area was its proximity to the river.
“For him, it was all about location, location, location,” Farish Jr. said. “We are all water people.”
It was Farish’s initial interest in the area that led others to develop properties Under-the-Hill, and from there the city was able to market it as a tourist attraction, Byrne said.
“They were just great ambassadors for the city of Natchez on the river,” Byrne said. “He loved to have a good time but he loved to make a good impression for Natchez.”
But just as much as he liked it for its business opportunity, Farish enjoyed his time Under-the-Hill because of the chance it gave him to meet people.
“He loved the people,” Farish Jr. said.
That is how Natchez resident Gene Blanchard remembered him.
“He was a good friend of everybody he met,” Blanchard said.
Farish will be missed, Byrne said.
“André was just one of the Natchez characters,” Byrne said.
Comments
Posted by crawgator (anonymous) on January 26, 2009 at 4:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One of the nicest persons I ever met. He will be greatly missed.
Posted by jd (anonymous) on January 26, 2009 at 6:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Andre, for helping preserve Natchez's history.
Despite all the negative issues, it’s the nostalgic history that will draw tourism.
Personally, I left Natchez 25 years ago. But I make a point when visiting family and friends, to stop at Under The Hill and other beloved attractions in Natchez.
Posted by Idefinitelymight (Tom Scarborough) on January 26, 2009 at 7:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Big Andre was one of the first people I encountered when I first came to Natchez. He immediately insulted me and I knew then that we'd be great friends. Mr. Byrne couldn't have said it more succinctly--Andre was one of the dwindling cast of characters that make Natchez so special. RIP Andre.
Posted by SayItRight (anonymous) on January 26, 2009 at 7:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Rest in Peace, Andre. Thanks for the memories.
Posted by skippydammit (anonymous) on January 26, 2009 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Andre was a special person who made Natchez unique.
He will be missed.
My condolences to his family.
Thank y'all for the many good memories.
God bless.
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on January 26, 2009 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We'll miss you Big Daddy! Thanks for being one of my biggest fans when I needed it most. When everyone else turned their backs, you were standing there smiling. And you still are. God bless you my friend.
Go rest high on that mountain, Andre.
Posted by huggybear1156 (anonymous) on January 26, 2009 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My condolences to his family ; he was one of the most intelligent and even-tempered people I ever met ; a joy to converse with. I spent many a night playing with my bands Under The Hill and talking with Andre Sr and Jr. Had great fun watching JD get up on the table and sing with us... miss those days.
Posted by Nativeson (anonymous) on January 26, 2009 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The King and the Duke and the Prince of Silver Street
Standing on the boardwalk with chickens at their feet
Taking it easy, watching the river roll
You know you can feel it, way down in your soul............
The Captain goes now to meet the Commodore,
O'Toole, the Dockmaster, and the Mayor Under the Hill,
old Joe Remondet, Tommy, and a whole lot more
We all gonna miss em.... I know I will.......
Posted by donna (anonymous) on January 26, 2009 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I feel so sorry for the loss, I met him when I first moved to Natchez and he was something else. He loved Natchez, RIP
Posted by 2feathers (anonymous) on January 26, 2009 at 2:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I NEVER MET HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on January 26, 2009 at 3:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I remember him growing up from my neighbors- he and Dr. Watts were pals
I remember his Baja Volkswagen off road racer- it was WAY cool!!
I always liked him........ my prayers and condolences to the family.......
Posted by Bobaloo (anonymous) on January 26, 2009 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
RIP André.... you will be missed but not forgotten. He was truly one of a kind. Condolences to André Jr., Melissa and family...
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on January 26, 2009 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Condolences to those he left behind....a true Natchezian in every sense of the word.
Posted by nahs65 (anonymous) on January 26, 2009 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rest in Peace, Andre'. Tell Bill and Paula hello,
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on January 26, 2009 at 7:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In a town where "normal" people are few and far between, Andre was a character above the rest of us characters. He was intelligent, conversant, knowledgeable, kind and loving in his own irascible style...he truly had that GYPSY BLOOD!
He's up there now having a great time with Dr. Watts and Charlie Montgomery, drinking fine wine and hooting it up at the second table inside the front door overlooking the river.
Now he'll finally be able to meet, first-hand, his kinsman, Jeff Davis, and ask him all the unanswered questions. Now he'll run the Baja race again as often as he wants.
In fond remembrance, I hope, Andre, Jr. and Melissa, that God will be with you in your time of grief and you can take comfort in the fact that your father touched so many lives in so many wonderful ways.
Posted by gpool (anonymous) on January 26, 2009 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Goodbye Andre. You were truly one of a kind.
Posted by peachpit (anonymous) on January 26, 2009 at 9:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just found out today of Mr. Andre's passing. I know it has been expected but still a shock to actually hear the news.
Jr. You have been a great Son. I'll always hold you in high regards for your loyalty to your Dad. "Honor thy Mother and thy father and thy days shall be long upon the earth." You will be blessed my friend.
I'll sorely miss Mr. Andre'.
Posted by jmeyers333 (anonymous) on January 26, 2009 at 11:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I left more memories in that saloon than I took out of there. Andre always took good care of them.
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