Susan Goodman Sides shared this Theo Buerbaum postcard of Joe Ballard, a well-known Salisbury blacksmith and politician of his day, especially after emancipation and the Civil War. Ballard lived from 1825 to 1917. After the war, he became active in politics and served as chairman of the executive committee of the Rowan County Republican Party. Townspeople also knew him as chief marshal for the Memorial Day parade.. He would lead the parade on horseback, while wearing a tailcoat and tall silk hat. Buerbaum featured Ballard on three different postcards, and this one apparently is from 1908. Salisbury’s History and Art Trail includes a marker for Ballard in the 100 block of East Council Street.